| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/M22017/01 |
| Title: |
SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERISATION AND EVALUATION OF NOVEL VINYL POLYMER - SILICA COLLOIDAL NANOCOMPOSITES |
| Principal Investigator: |
Armes, Professor SP |
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| Department: |
Chemistry |
| Organisation: |
University of Sussex |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 January 1999 |
Ends: |
31 December 2001 |
Value (£): |
140,680
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Materials Characterisation |
Materials Synthesis & Growth |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The aim of the present proposal is to explore the feasibility and scope of synthesising vinyl polmer-silica colloidal nanocomposites via free radical chemistry. Our preliminary results suggest that suitable hydrophilic vinyl monomers are likely to include: 2- and 4-vinylpyridine, 2- (diethylamino) ethyl methacrylate, 4-vinylbenzoic acid, methyl acrylate, vinyl acetate, etc. free radical chemistry should enable colloidal nanocomposites to be synthesised at relatively high solids contents (at least 5-20%). There is also the intriguing possibility of preparing novel nanocomposites using functional inorganic oxides such as tin (IV) oxide or magnetite instead of silica sols. A wide range of synthesis parameters will be investigated and the feasibility of copolymerisations will also be examined (see Proposal for details). The resulting nanocomposite particles will be extensively characterised in terms of their particle size and morphology, silica content and colloid stability using a wide range of instrumentation (see proposal). In addition, the surface compositions of selected nanocomposites will be assessed using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy in collaboration with Dr M Chehimi's group. Finally, potential applications of these nanocomposites, either as films or functional colloids, will be examined in consultation with ICI, Zeneca and Vinamul (see letters of support).
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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.sussex.ac.uk |