Understanding and controlling the stereochemistry of free-radical polymerisation. The stereochemistry of a molecule, which relates to the relative spatial arrangement of its atoms, can have a profound effect on its physical and chemical properties. This project will use a computer-guided experimental approach to design new methods for controlling the stereochemistry of the polymers formed in free-radical polymerisation.
Controlling polymer microstructure with structured Lewis acids. Radical polymerisation is the most commercially important polymer process, favoured by industry for its broad scope and relatively low cost and environmental impact. However, its use in the synthesis of 'smart materials' for biomedical applications, molecular electronics and high-performance engineering applications has been hampered by the lack of microstructural control. This project aims to use a complementary combination of theo ....Controlling polymer microstructure with structured Lewis acids. Radical polymerisation is the most commercially important polymer process, favoured by industry for its broad scope and relatively low cost and environmental impact. However, its use in the synthesis of 'smart materials' for biomedical applications, molecular electronics and high-performance engineering applications has been hampered by the lack of microstructural control. This project aims to use a complementary combination of theory and experiment to develop novel structured Lewis acids for controlling the stereochemistry in free-radical polymerisation, and to utilise the recently discovered propagation catalysis conferred by simple Lewis acids to minimise defect structures and thereby improve the thermal and photostability of polymers.Read moreRead less