| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/M93482/01 |
| Title: |
NANOMETRE SILICA PARTICLE METROLOGY IN SOL-GELS USING FLUORESCENCE ANISOTROPY |
| Principal Investigator: |
Birch, Professor DJS |
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| Department: |
Physics |
| Organisation: |
University of Strathclyde |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
05 January 2000 |
Ends: |
04 January 2003 |
Value (£): |
241,585
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Materials Characterisation |
Materials Synthesis & Growth |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Aerospace, Defence and Marine |
Manufacturing |
| Chemicals |
Construction |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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We propose a new approach to studying the growth dynamics of nanometre size particles during sol-gel glass formation. The feasibility of the proposal has been demonstrated in a preliminary study of acidic silica hydrogels and we now propose to extend this to include alkaline silica hydrogels and silicon alcoxide alcogels. Suitable fluorescent dye molecules, both solvated and bound to particles, are used to dually report on the microviscosity of the sol and size of the particle by means of the time-resolved fluorescence depolarisation which occurs during Brownian rotation. Traditional techniques for particle size measurement in silica sols are largely based on small angle x-ray and neutron scattering, which are both expensive and unsuitable for on-line industrial monitoring. Because fluorescence depolarisation is independent of particle density and is caused by rotating particles, the technique we propose is better placed for recording particle size in situ at high silicate concentrations and after gelation.The project seeks to link basic research on particle collision dynamics with important industrial technologies by developing a new approach to nm silica particle metrology.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.strath.ac.uk |