| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/R91380/01 |
| Title: |
Polymeric Microemulsions under Shear |
| Principal Investigator: |
Hamley, Professor IW |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Department: |
Sch of Chemistry |
| Organisation: |
University of Leeds |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 November 2002 |
Ends: |
31 October 2003 |
Value (£): |
68,627
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Materials Characterisation |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The recent discovery of polymeric microemulsions formed in blends of two homopolymers with matched diblock copolymer at low copolymer content opens up the possibility of enhanced compatibilization due to the near zero interfacial tension, which promotes mixing. Because polymer blends are subjected to flow fields during processing, the domain size and orientation depends on shear conditions. Indeed, this has been one of the classical approaches to tuning the domain size in extruded polymer blends, for example. However, there has been almost no prior work on the effect of shear on block copolymer-based microemulsions. We will use the powerful combination of light scattering and small-angle neutron scattering to investigate ordering in microemulsions at the macrophase-separated domain and microphase ordered scale respectively. The system polyethylene/poly(ethylene oxide) will be investigated due to its commercial relevance and prior characterization of phase behaviour. A CCD will be used to record oriented laser light scattering patterns. Existing parallel plate oscillatory shear cells will be used. We will first examine whether shear-induced ordering or disordering occurs at selected compositions across the microemulsion phase, particularly close to the phase boundaries to ordered lamellar and two-phase regions. Then the influence of shear amplitude and frequency on the structure will be investigated. Finally, time-resolved measurements of the deformation during a cycle of oscillatory shear will be performed.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.leeds.ac.uk |