Investigation of microscopic particle physical properties on inter-particle forces and mechanistic extension to mesoscale manufacturing

Previous work has shown that developing an understanding of in situ particle-particle forces is a pre-requisite to relate mesoscale bulk behaviour to single particle microscopic interactions. Bulk processing issues relating to phenomena such as rheology, surface coating and milling are ubiquitous throughout business operations relating to Johnson-Matthey (the project industrial sponsor) and the solutions are often arrived at with the addition of extra components to the formulation or a "process bandage". While such an approach has some merit, it does little to improve the appreciation of the underpinning microscopic interactions, resulting in formulations of increasing complexity with ever diminishing understanding. In this regard there is a need to build a fundamental knowledge base understanding how polymers interact with particulates and study the impact of this interaction on bulk properties such as dispersion, flow behaviour and coating performance. Model particulate systems can be synthesized to specific geometries, shapes and sizes that will facilitate the measurement of such particle-particle interactions. These model systems can then be related to Johnson-Matthey relevant systems such as zeolites for Emission Control Technology (cubic), and milled glass particles for Advanced Glass Technology (spherical), in relation to offering insight for improved formulation within the resulting slurries.