My research aim is: The synthesis of nano-structured materials with enhanced physical, chemical and thermal properties; development of functional nano-materials, and investigation of processes of controlling the self-assembly of nano-structures, with emphasis on thermochemical and thermophysical properties.
My contribution to polymer research is preparation of polymer blends and composites with functionality that enhances performance or imparts new functionality, application of advanced characterisation with emphasis on thermal properties:
• Composites, blends and surfaces: Nanocomposites with surface treated fillers and fibres, plasma polymerised films, silicates, carbon and mineral nanotubes; dispersed in thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyolefins, elastomers; thermochemistry of nanomaterials with emphasis on thermomechanometry (TM): static, dynamic, modulated force TM, modulated temperature TM, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), modulated temperature DSC (mT-DSC), step-scan and quasi-isothermal DSC and thermogravimetry (TGA).
• Network polymer composites with glass or carbon fibre, carbon nanotubes, fumed silica and related nanofillers, and sol-gel generated fillers, self-healing composites; using epoxy resin, unsaturated polyester, polyurethanes and polysiloxanes.
• Biopolymer and starch materials: Starch, cellulose and biopolymers (poly(lactate), (poly(hydroxybutyrate)), modified cellulose fibre composites; packaging application, food thermochemistry and texture.
• Flame retardant materials: Polymer compositions that ceramify on combustion to retard flammability and form an incombustible self-supporting fire barrier.
• Thermomechanical analysis with high accuracy and precision, by comparison with universal mechanical testing, using available geometries, multi- and synthetic-frequencies, mastercurves in frequency and time domains, modelling with theory.
• Structural investigations using infrared spectroscopy and microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray scattering, optical and electron microscopy.
This research has provided theoretical interpretation of crystallisation and melting of biopolyesters and its copolymers) using mT-DSC and advanced DSC techniques including step-scan DSC and quasi-isothermal DSC.
Biopolyesters with cellulose fibres, including flax and hemp. Cellulose fibres require separation from plant material, through solvent and alkali extraction, with enzyme treatments used to give high crystallinity, enhanced cellulose fibres. They have been used in novel cellulose matrix–cellulose fibre, cellulose ester–cellulose fibre, microcrystalline cellulose fibre composites, and all-polypropylene (PP) composites.
Functional nanocomposites with fillers encapsulating, containing and grafted to molecules that exhibit magnetism, conductivity, colour, fluorescence, self-association, polymer interaction, shape memory, and self-healing to mechanical micro-cracking and internal disruption.
Structure and morphology of polymers, blends and composites is characterised using small and wide angle X-ray scattering, infrared spectroscopy. Thermomechanical properties have established and resolved elastic, viscoelastic and viscous models based on Maxwell-Voigt, Kohlrausch-Williams-Watts, Havriliak-Negami, time-temperature-composition superposition functions.
Biodegradable starch composite packaging materials have been patented. DSC applied to the structure of chocolates after various thermal exposures. Research has emphasised functional nanocomposites and surfaces; starch, cellulose and related polysaccharide materials, with design of self-assembled supramolecular structures; biopolymer compositions for controlled release of food nutrients and additives a particular theme.
Member of international advisory committee 8th Pacific Polymer Conference, Bangkok, 2002; Editorial Committees: eXPRESS Polymer Letters; International Journal of Polymer Science; referee for most of the international polymer journals from Wiley, Elsevier and others (307 papers refereed since Jan 2006), PhD thesis examiner (39 theses since Jan 2006).
My strategy is directed to investigation of polymer and their composites. I have assembled a well-equipped laboratory enabling me to examine polymer structure and properties in combinations that enhance functional capability.
Address: School of Science, RMIT University
GPO Box 2476, Melbourne VIC 3001
Australia