EPSRC Reference: |
GR/S34243/01 |
Title: |
A phase inversion route to colloidal polymer nanocomposites |
Principal Investigator: |
Saha, Professor B |
Other Investigators: |
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Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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Project Partners: |
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Department: |
Chemical Engineering |
Organisation: |
Loughborough University |
Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
Starts: |
01 December 2003 |
Ends: |
30 November 2006 |
Value (£): |
213,734
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EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
Complex fluids & soft solids |
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EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
Manufacturing |
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Related Grants: |
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Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
A new approach to producing sub-micron composite polymer particles will be explored. Aqueous dispersions of small drops that contain a pre-formed polymer, dissolved in a monomeric solvent, will be made by phase inversion. Use of non-ionic surfactants will facilitate the required inversion from water-in-oil dispersions to oil-in-water emulsions. Subsequent polymerisation of the solvent will generate a second polymer so that the drops are converted to sub-micron particles of a polymer composite. The second polymer will be made by a free-radical process, but the initial pre-formed polymer can be made by any conventional process (e.g. a non-radical chain process or a condensation process). The internal structure of the particles will be determined via electron microscopy. The project could lead to new processes for producing fine aqueous polymer dispersions that can be used in a variety of products without volatile organic solvents.
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Key Findings |
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 |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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 |
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.lboro.ac.uk |