Structure and stability of multicomponent polymer mixtures by novel combinatorial approaches
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Chemical Engineering
Abstract
The aim of this project is to develop, validate, and demonstrate a methodology for high-throughput mapping of the stability and structural evolution of complex polymer mixtures. Our motivation lies in formulation science which makes ubiquitous use of multicomponent mixtures whose comprehensive characterisation with conventional techniques is unfeasible. The project will involve three major tasks: (i) Creation of multicomponent discrete polymer libraries; (ii) Implementation of optical screening tools (turbidity and scattering) and automated data analysis; and (iii) Undertaking comprehensive experimental studies of two outstanding problems in polymer mixture thermodynamics, namely the effects of model block copolymer and nanoparticles on the phase behaviour and separation dynamics. A dedicated PhD student will work on the project along with the principal investigator; the project duration will be 36 months and the funding requested from EPSRC is 119,990. This proposal is submitted under the First Grant scheme.
Publications
Cabral J
(2009)
Small Angle Neutron Scattering from the Highly Interacting Polymer Mixture TMPC/PSd: No Evidence of Spatially Dependent ? Parameter
in Macromolecules
Chua Y
(2010)
Thermodynamics of TMPC/PSd/Fullerene Nanocomposites: SANS Study
in Macromolecules
Dattani R
(2015)
Fullerene oxidation and clustering in solution induced by light.
in Journal of colloid and interface science
Dattani R
(2015)
Polymer fullerene solution phase behaviour and film formation pathways.
in Soft matter
Lopez CG
(2015)
Structure of Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose Aqueous Solutions: A SANS and Rheology Study.
in Journal of polymer science. Part B, Polymer physics
Sanz A
(2008)
Plasticization effect of C 60 on the fast dynamics of polystyrene and related polymers: an incoherent neutron scattering study
in Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter
Sanz A
(2015)
Influence of C60 fullerenes on the glass formation of polystyrene
in Polymer
Wong H
(2012)
Patterning Polymer-Fullerene Nanocomposite Thin Films with Light
in Advanced Materials
Wong H
(2011)
Mechanism and Kinetics of Fullerene Association in Polystyrene Thin Film Mixtures
in Macromolecules
Wong H
(2010)
Glass formation and stability of polystyrene-fullerene nanocomposites
in Journal of Molecular Liquids
Wong HC
(2010)
Spinodal clustering in thin films of nanoparticle-polymer mixtures.
in Physical review letters
| Description | We have investigated the phase behaviour of binary and multicomponent polymer mixtures and nanocomposites. Specifically, we studied polymer-polymer and polymer-nanoparticle mixtures, including fullerenes and silica nanoparticles. We have developed methods for the rapid formulation of mixtures and detection of phase boundaries, using optical and scattering methods. We have established the potential and limitations of this approach and determined the phase behaviour and morphology of key mixtures and composites. In particular, polymer-fullerene thin film mixtures yielded insight into the structure formation of composites relevant for organic electronics and solar cells. |
| Exploitation Route | The high-throughput approaches developed could be employed by a range of industries and researchers interested in the thermodynamics and structure formation of polymeric mixtures, including the formulations, personal care, coatings, paints, plastics, automotive and composites, and structured products industries. In particular, the work on fullerene-polymer mixtures can (and has already partly) be transferred to the development of organic electronics. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Energy,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Transport |
| Description | The research award had two main outputs: 1) methods developed for mapping thermodynamics and phase behaviour and 2) knowledge generated for model polymer and nanoparticle systems. The research was extensively published. Specifically, for polymer-fullerene mixtures, the outputs have been employed to engineer and fabricate solar cells with increased performance and durability. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2012 |
| Sector | Electronics,Energy,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| Impact Types | Societal,Economic |
| Description | Organic Electronics |
| Organisation | Imperial College London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Mapping of phase behaviour of polymer-fullerene composites and thin films; light processing |
| Collaborator Contribution | Fabrication and measurement of solar cells |
| Impact | Several high impact publications applying polymer-fullerene phase behaviour to solar cells Z Li, H. C. Wong, Z, Huang, H. Zhong, C. H. Tan, W. C. Tsoi, J. S. Kim, J. R. Durrant, and J. T. Cabral "Performance Enhancement of fullerene-based solar cells by light processing" Nat. Comms. 4, 2227 (2013) H. C. Wong, Z. Li, C. H. Tan, H. Zhong, Z. Huang, H. Bronstein, I. McCulloch, J. T. Cabral, J. R. Durrant, "Morphological Stability and Performance of Polymer-Fullerene Solar Cells Under Thermal Stress - the Impact of Photo-Induced PC60BM Oligomerisation", ACS Nano 8, 1297-1308 (2014) B.C. Schroder, Z. Li, M. A. Brady, G. C. Faria, R. S. Ashraf, C. J. Takacs, J. S. Cowart, D. T. Duong, K. H. Chiu, C.H. Tang, J. T. Cabral, A. Salleo, M. L. Chabinyc, J. R. Durrant, I. McCulloch, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. (2014) |
| Start Year | 2010 |