Multiblock copolymer synthesis for nano-engineered materials. This project aims to develop methodology for environmentally friendly and industrially applicable synthesis of new types of advanced polymeric materials comprising multiblock copolymers. Polymeric materials play an important role in society with applications from bulk plastics to advanced technological applications. This would enable the creation of advanced materials with specific engineering targets and applications ranging from nan ....Multiblock copolymer synthesis for nano-engineered materials. This project aims to develop methodology for environmentally friendly and industrially applicable synthesis of new types of advanced polymeric materials comprising multiblock copolymers. Polymeric materials play an important role in society with applications from bulk plastics to advanced technological applications. This would enable the creation of advanced materials with specific engineering targets and applications ranging from nanomedicine to materials science.Read moreRead less
Biomimetic templating radical polymerisation in nanoreactors. The aim is to develop methodology for synthesis of polymer with hitherto inaccessible control of the microstructure by free radical means, that is the molecular weight distribution and monomer sequences. This will be achieved by combining the two concepts of biomimetic templated radical polymerisation and polymerisation in nanoreactors in the form of submicron-sized micelles or droplets. Scale-up of the methodology will be developed b ....Biomimetic templating radical polymerisation in nanoreactors. The aim is to develop methodology for synthesis of polymer with hitherto inaccessible control of the microstructure by free radical means, that is the molecular weight distribution and monomer sequences. This will be achieved by combining the two concepts of biomimetic templated radical polymerisation and polymerisation in nanoreactors in the form of submicron-sized micelles or droplets. Scale-up of the methodology will be developed based on an environmentally friendly approach whereby miniemulsions are generated using carbon dioxide. Increased ability to control the polymer microstructure will enable advanced design of functional polymers with far-reaching applications in materials science, nanotechnology and nanomedicine. Read moreRead less
Vesicles stabilised by compressed carbon dioxide as nanoreactors and templates for radical polymerisation. A new environmentally friendly method for synthesis of surfactant vesicles involving stabilisation using low pressure carbon dioxide will be applied to the synthesis of hollow polymeric nanoparticles and polymer of well-defined structure. The resulting polymeric structures will have applications in drug delivery and nano-engineered materials.
A platform for the efficient optimisation of drug delivery using cross-linked micelles and thioclick-chemistry toward better anti-cancer treatment. The delivery of albendazole - an anti-cancer drug - will be improved by encapsulating the drug into nanoparticles. State of the art polymer chemistry will be employed to generate a versatile drug delivery system. The resulting nanoparticles will be able to better control drug delivery and to enhance cellular uptake of the drug.
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
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200101096
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$427,098.00
Summary
Programming Polymer Function via Ring-opening Polymerisation of Peptides. The project aims to set the foundation of a class of intelligent polymers, whose structure and function – including catalytic activity and biodegradability – can be readily programmed. In contrast to well-established radical polymerization techniques leading to all-carbon based backbones, the outlined research will develop technologies to incorporate short peptides into the backbones of synthetic polymers. The syntheticall ....Programming Polymer Function via Ring-opening Polymerisation of Peptides. The project aims to set the foundation of a class of intelligent polymers, whose structure and function – including catalytic activity and biodegradability – can be readily programmed. In contrast to well-established radical polymerization techniques leading to all-carbon based backbones, the outlined research will develop technologies to incorporate short peptides into the backbones of synthetic polymers. The synthetically adjustable amino acid sequence of the main chain embedded peptides will translate into the structure and function of the modular polymer. The DECRA will deliver unprecedented access towards tailor-made mechanical properties, catalytic activity and biodegradability of polymeric materials.Read moreRead less