Polymer Physics of Advanced Multiphasic Polymers
We study the relationship between crystallisation, structure and properties in multiphase polymers to design materials with performance tailored to advanced applications.
Given that approximately 75% of commercial polymers are semicrystalline, understanding the effect of crystallisation on their thermal, mechanical, optical, barrier and biodegradation properties is fundamental. We investigate nucleation processes using advanced calorimetric techniques covering wide ranges of cooling and heating rates, as well as self-nucleation and crystalline memory phenomena in homopolymers, copolymers and blends.
We design new multiphase materials in collaboration with polymer chemists, including multicrystalline and isodimorphic block copolymers, adjusting composition and molecular weight to control their properties. We also analyse the effect of confinement, thermal fractionation by successive self-nucleation and annealing (SSA) and the incorporation of nanofillers such as carbon nanotubes, nanocellulose, graphene or nanosilica in polymeric nanocomposites. Furthermore, we study semicrystalline conductive, piezoelectric and solid polymer electrolyte systems, as well as mechanical recycling and compatibilisation strategies for polyolefin and PET blends to improve their performance through upcycling.
