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New Innovative Applications

QPAC® binders offer many unique benefits for cutting-edge technology applications that require superior material properties to meet their demanding needs.

3D Ceramic Printing

QPAC® binders are emerging as a temporary adhesive additive for paste extruder-based 3D ceramic printers. Selective laser sintering, SLS 3D printing technology is one type of additive manufacturing technique that can benefit from QPAC®’s debinding properties.

Key benefits:

  • Virtually no residue or contamination
  • Benign emissions, the products of combustions are carbon dioxide and water vapor, which are non-toxic, non-flammable, and environmentally safe
  • Low-temperature burnout for sensitive materials 
  • Decomposes completely between 220°C – 350°C, which can be as much as 100°C below the decomposition temperatures of other binders
  • Excellent green strength, resulting in high strength and density in final products

Energy Storage / Batteries

QPAC®25 polyethylene carbonate and QPAC®40 polypropylene carbonate are both considered possible polymer candidates for electrolytes. Carbonate-based solvents are usually used as the electrolyte solution in Li-ion batteries because of their high dielectric constant. Therefore, the carbonate groups of QPAC®25 and QPAC®40 provide a good structure for the polymer framework. QPAC® binders may have additional benefits in the construction of fuel cells. Recent work shows the binders can form a high-performing polymer matrix for the electrolyte in solid lithium-ion batteries.

Key benefits:

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Read more about QPAC for flexible solid lithium batteries

Nanoparticle Binder

The growing interest in QPAC® as an organic nanoparticle binder is a result of the following properties:

  • Compatibility with a variety of nanopowders, including metals and ceramics
  • Naturally “tacky,” and degrees of plasticity can be adjusted as necessary
  • Decomposition is complete through three phases: solid, liquid, and vapor
  • Very low ash residue with the complete burnout of carbon
  • Decomposes completely between 220°C – 350°C, which can be as much as 100°C below the decomposition temperatures of other binders
  • Mild burnout without violent gas formation, resulting in fewer cracks in the final part

The QPAC® properties result in structures with superior properties compared to those of more conventional binders. Additionally, the binders use up to 50% fewer petrochemicals than traditional plastics.

Other new and exciting areas for the use of QPAC® polyalkylene carbonates include freeze casting and as an adhesive for semiconductor wafers.