Cross-linking in free-radical polymerizations: kinetics and mechanical properties. Cross-linked polymer chains are joined together in a ?ladder? topology. This often occurs either deliberately or accidentally in industrial systems, and affects polymer properties. However, cross-linking mechanisms are poorly understood, and there are no general means of quantitatively controlling effects on mechanical properties. As a by-product from a previous IREX grant, a means was found to grow polymers with ....Cross-linking in free-radical polymerizations: kinetics and mechanical properties. Cross-linked polymer chains are joined together in a ?ladder? topology. This often occurs either deliberately or accidentally in industrial systems, and affects polymer properties. However, cross-linking mechanisms are poorly understood, and there are no general means of quantitatively controlling effects on mechanical properties. As a by-product from a previous IREX grant, a means was found to grow polymers with controlled cross-linking. This proposal exploits this method to synthesize polymers with different amounts of cross-linking, and to examine their formation mechanisms and mechanical properties. This has the potential of improving means of making rubber-based materials by polymer modification.Read moreRead less
Reversible Addition Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT) Free Radical Copolymerizations of Various Monomers. The proposed project will investigate the structure and properties of statistical copolymers prepared via living free radical polymerization. We will study the characteristics of a wide variety of Reversible Addition Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT) copolymerizations using a range of monomers, including those interesting for biomedical and material science applications. We expect to gai ....Reversible Addition Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT) Free Radical Copolymerizations of Various Monomers. The proposed project will investigate the structure and properties of statistical copolymers prepared via living free radical polymerization. We will study the characteristics of a wide variety of Reversible Addition Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT) copolymerizations using a range of monomers, including those interesting for biomedical and material science applications. We expect to gain a deeper understanding of the influence of the RAFT process on the kinetics and mechanism of copolymerization and the properties of the resulting polymers in order to tailor specific polymer materials for biomedial applications.Read moreRead less
Branching in acrylic polymers: analysis and mechanistic understanding. Some polymers can be branched. This branching has major effects on the end-product performance of a polymer, for example in adhesives and the flexibility of rubbery materials. Full quantification of this branching (the lengths of branches and the rates of the processes that create them) has been impossible hitherto. Two new complementary techniques, a new analytical method developed by the applicant Fellow in Paris, and a new ....Branching in acrylic polymers: analysis and mechanistic understanding. Some polymers can be branched. This branching has major effects on the end-product performance of a polymer, for example in adhesives and the flexibility of rubbery materials. Full quantification of this branching (the lengths of branches and the rates of the processes that create them) has been impossible hitherto. Two new complementary techniques, a new analytical method developed by the applicant Fellow in Paris, and a new synthesis technique developed in Sydney, will be used as the platforms to devise the first means of determining this information and thus understanding and quantifying branching.Read moreRead less
Cumulenes and Heterocumulenes - Stellar Molecules and New Materials. This project involves the formation and characterisation of transient neutrals (formed in the mass spectrometer by neutralisation of charged precursor ions) which are either found in stellar dust clouds, or related molecules which may be either potential stellar molecules or have importance in the development of new materials. This work may lead to a better understanding of how biomolecules are formed in interstellar environs. ....Cumulenes and Heterocumulenes - Stellar Molecules and New Materials. This project involves the formation and characterisation of transient neutrals (formed in the mass spectrometer by neutralisation of charged precursor ions) which are either found in stellar dust clouds, or related molecules which may be either potential stellar molecules or have importance in the development of new materials. This work may lead to a better understanding of how biomolecules are formed in interstellar environs. The Adelaide and Berlin groups are internationally known, already with ongoing collaboration. This application seeks to extend the scope of this world-class research, and to train the premier graduate students in astrochemistry.Read moreRead less