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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/S59079/01
Title: A Novel Route to the Preparation of Plate-Like Nanoparticles
Principal Investigator: Bushby, Professor RJ
Other Investigators:
Hamley, Professor IW Brydson, Professor RMD
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Centre for Molecular Nanoscience
Organisation: University of Leeds
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 April 2004 Ends: 31 December 2005 Value (£): 59,124
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Complex fluids & soft solids Materials Characterisation
Materials Synthesis & Growth
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Manufacturing Chemicals
Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The fabrication of nanoparticles of controlled size, shape, functionality and dispersity is a key challenge in nanotechnology. We propose a new route to the synthesis of solid polymer nanoparticles using a block copolymer templating route. Plate-like polystyrene nanoparticles will be made by retting (enzyme or microniological digestion) of microphase separated polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene oxide) diblock copolymers with a short polypeptide or polyester link between the blocks. This concept is expected to lead to a new generation of near monodisperse nanoparticles and will have a significant impact on contemporary colloid size. The size of the nanoparticles will by controlled by the molar mass of the precursor diblock. The surface functionality will be controlled by the synthesis route: in particular -COON and -NH2 functionalized nanoparticles will be prepared. The thermal stability of the nanoparticles will be enhanced by cross-linking the polystyrene. The size and dispersity of the nanoparticles will be characterized by electron microscopy.
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Organisation Website: http://www.leeds.ac.uk