Synthesis of metal-polymer nanocomposites

This thesis details the synthesis and characterisation of novel nanocomposite materials. The unifying theme of all the projects investigated, is the aim to combine metal or metal oxide nanoparticles with polymer systems. In order to investigate the structure of the materials produced, the extensive use of advanced electron microscopy techniques is essential throughout. Chapter 1: This introductory chapter outlines key themes that are relevant to all the areas of research in this thesis. Theory, background and applications are provided for the fields of nanoparticles, polymers, and supercritical fluids. Chapters 2, 3 and 4 each report a separate area of research. In each chapter additional theory and background is provided where appropriate, and previous literature is discussed. The aims, results and discussion of each research area are contained within the relevant chapter, as well as conclusions and future work. Chapter 2: Supercritical CO2 is used to impregnate optical polymer substrates with silver complexes, which are then decomposed to form nanoparticles. Chapter 3: Metal oxide nanoparticles are used to stabilise dispersion and suspension polymerisations, providing a method of recovering nanoparticles from aqueous solutions and embedding them on the surface of polymer powders. Chapter 4: Two alternative routes, for creating polymer microspheres surface decorated with silver nanoparticles, are compared. Chapter 5: A detailed description of the synthetic methods, equipment, and analysis techniques used in this research is provided. Chapter 6: A brief but overall conclusion to the research is given

High surface area sulfur-doped microporous carbons from inverse vulcanised polymers

Industrial by-products sulfur and dicyclopentadiene form a high surface-area microporous carbon with excellent potential to filter gold or mercury.</p

A ternary system for delayed curing inverse vulcanisation.

Completion of inverse vulcanisation reactions leads to a crosslinked insoluble polymer, but insufficient reaction allows phase separation of the sulfur and organic corsslinkers. A ternary co-polymer system allows delayed curing to be used, keeping the pre-polymer stable, homogeneous, and ready to be set into its final form when and where needed, allowing greater opportunities for practical production

Aligned macroporous monoliths with intrinsic microporosity via a frozen-solvent-templating approachd

Aligned macroporous monoliths of an organic cage, a polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1), and a metal–organic framework (HKUST-1) are prepared by a controlled freezing approach. In addition to macropores, all the monoliths contain the intrinsic micropores.</p

Sustainable inverse-vulcanised sulfur polymers (vol 8, pg 27892, 2018)

Correction for ‘Sustainable inverse-vulcanised sulfur polymers’ by Douglas J. Parker et al., RSC Adv., 2018, 8, 27892–27899

Sulfur-Polymer Nanoparticles: Preparation and Antibacterial Activity.

High sulfur content polymers prepared by inverse vulcanization have many reported potential applications, including as novel antimicrobial materials. High sulfur content polymers usually have limited water-solubility and dispersibility due to their hydrophobic nature, which could limit the development of their applications. Herein, we report the formulation of high sulfur content polymeric nanoparticles by a nanoprecipitation and emulsion-based method. High sulfur content polymeric nanoparticles were found to have an inhibitory effect against important bacterial pathogens, including Gram-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Salt-stable particles were formulated with the addition of a surfactant, which did not inhibit the antibacterial activity of the polymeric particles. Furthermore, the polymeric nanoparticles were found to inhibit S. aureus biofilm formation and exhibited low cytotoxicity against mammalian liver cells. Interaction of the polymeric particles with cellular thiols could be a potential mechanism of action against bacterial cells, as demonstrated by reaction with cysteine as a model thiol. The findings presented demonstrate methods of preparing aqueous dispersions of high sulfur content polymeric nanoparticles that could have useful biological applications