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Topics Covered
Introduction
Research Areas of the Polymers, Composites and Spectroscopy Group
Polymers Characterisation
Summary
Introduction
The interests of the Polymers, Composites and Spectroscopy Group (PCAS) encompass polymers, minerals and composites. The group routinely applies quantitative vibrational spectroscopy and thermoanalytical methods to characterise the innovative materials under investigation.
Research Areas of the Polymers, Composites and Spectroscopy Group
Representative research areas of the Polymers, Composites and Spectroscopy Group Include:
- Fire retardant and barrier properties of clay polymer nanocomposites
- Transport mechanisms in polymeric and composite systems
- Thermal and biodegradation of polymers and composites
- Crystallisation and deformation behaviour of polymers
- Gelation mechanisms of polymers
- Novel sand consolidation chemistry for use in oil wells
- The use of surface restructured clays as catalysts adsorbents
- Raman studies of the early stage hydration of cements
Polymers Characterisation
Those wishing to characterise polymers currently, need to use several analytical techniques to get all the information about a polymer's structure or chemistry. Within the Polymers, Composites and Spectroscopy Group we put an emphasis on the use of vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR and Raman), thermal analysis (DSC and TGA), Small Angle X-ray and Neutron Scattering (SAXS and SANS), and x-ray diffraction (XRD) to provide information about the polymer systems we study. We are particularly interested in:
The Polymers, Composites and Spectroscopy Group is currently involved in a number of projects around Polymer Characterisation.
Summary
With these techniques the Polymers, Composites and Spectroscopy Group will be able to characterise surfaces and determine some bulk physical properties such as diffusion processes and migration kinetics.
Future work will be to apply the developed analysis methodology to poly(lactide-glycolide) systems before and after y-radiation. This work will be extended to look at one or more of AstraZenecca current formulations with the aim of linking molecular properties to bulk behaviour and performance.
Source: Materials and Engineering Research Institute - MERI
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