Polymers Science & Engineering Laboratory
| URL: | www.materials.uoi.gr/polymers www.polymers.gr |
| Tel.: | (+30)-265100-9027, 9028, 9029 |
| Fax: | (+30)-265100-7030 |
| Installation: | Materials Science Engineering Building, ground floor, Department of Materials Science Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Ioannina, University Campus – Dourouti, 45110, Ioannina, Greece |
| Director: | Professor A. Avgeropoulos, PhD |
Personnel
Research
Equipment
Education
Faculty members
- Professor A. Avgeropoulos, PhD
- Professor Ν. Zafeiropoulos, PhD
- D. Moschovas, PhD (Post-Doctoral Researcher)
- A. Katsouras, PhD (Post-Doctoral Researcher)
- A. Karydis-Messinis (PhD Candidate)
- I. Moutsios (PhD Candidate)
- G.-M. Manesi (PhD Candidate)
- G. Papadopoulos (PhD Candidate)
- K. Artopoioadis (PhD Candidate)
- K. Tsitoni (PhD Candidate)
- K. Mpampali (MSc student)
- G. Porfyriadou (MSc student)
- E. Zampa (MSc student)
Research interests
A) Synthesis/Study/Development of Polymer and Composite Materials
- Synthesis of a wide range of novel polymers (linear and non-linear, homo-, co-, ter- and multiblock- polymers) via anionic polymerization using the high vacuum technique
- Synthesis of new monomers leading to composites
- Synthesis of linear and non-linear high molecular weight copolymers and terpolymers
- Synthesis of amphiphilic functionalized block copolymers
- Synthesis of dendritic architectured thermoplastic elastomers
- Development of nanocrystal/block copolymer composites (structure and structure properties)
- Synthesis of biodegradable polymers
- Synthesis of photonic polymers
- Synthesis of conjugated polymers for photovoltaic applications
- Elaboration of ATRP, SFRP and ROP techniques under inert atmosphere conditions for synthesis of a wide range of polymers
- Study of nano-lithographic and nano-patterning applications of block copolymers with various architectures
- Development of patterned polymer media for nanostructured applications
- Functionalization of non-linear polydienes and chemical modification
- Development of nanocomposites with “grafting from” or “grafting to” SWCNTs, MWCNTs, graphite oxide and graphene
- Study of the morphological topography and identification of microstructures via TEM, HRTEM, EFTEM and SAXS
- 3D reconstruction of complex cubic structures via simulations
- Theoretical study with Monte Carlo simulations of the behavior and properties of linear/linear and non-linear block copolymers
- Surface modification of nanoparticles with controlled polymerization methods
- Development of nanomaterials with block copolymers
- Development of magnetic nanomaterials
- Development of organic-inorganic nanohybrids
- Development of smart materials for drug targeting applications
- Deformation and fracture phenomena in polymers and polymer nanomaterials
- Engineering and characterization of the interface in polymer based composites and blends
- Development of composites with natural fibres
- Development and application of microfocused x-ray scattering methods with high brilliance radiation
- Development of nanostructured magnetic nanomaterials with polymer matrices
- Development of organic-inorganic hybrid nanomaterials
- Development of advanced smart carriers for pharmaceutical compounds
- Development of hydrogels in macro-, micro- and nanodimensions
- Recovery of high value-added materials from by-products of the food industry. More specifically recovery of collagen and hydroxyapatite from fish and poultry farm waste.
- Development of artificial leather patches based on polymeric mixtures of polysaccharides, collagen and microspheres of biodegradable polymers
- Development of advanced biomedical materials
- Development of nanostructured resins for use in concrete repair
- Characterization and properties of polymers in dilute solutions via:
- Size Exclusion (SEC)
- Membrane Osmometry (MO) and/or Vapor Pressure Osmometry (VPO)
- Low-Angle Laser Light Scattering (LALLS)
- Differential Refractivity (DR)
- Viscometry (V)
- Proton and Carbon Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR) Spectroscopy.
- Ultra-violet spectroscopy (UV)
- Determination of molecular diffusion coefficient of various polymers and calculation of particles size via Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS)
- Purity determination of monomers and calculation of the yield of various organic reactions by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy
- Morphological Characterization via:
- Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)
- Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
- Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
- Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS)
- Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering (WAXS)
- Differential Scattering Calorimetry (DSC)
- Differential Mechanical Analysis (DMA)
- Thermo-gravimetric Analysis (TGA)
- Infra-red spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR, NIR)
- X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)
- Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS)
- Contact angle equipment
- Instron machine for mechanical testing of polymers and composites
Equipment & facilities
A) Polymer Synthesis
- Six (6) high vacuum lines (~10-6 Τorr) for the synthesis of polymers via anionic and living radical polymerization
- One (1) simple vacuum line or/and inert atmosphere where reactions under inert atmosphere or simple vacuum (~10-2 Τorr)
- Two (2) Schlenk lines for the synthesis of conjugated polymers and for the synthesis of polymers via living radical polymerizations
- Four (4) glass blowing stations for the preparation of complex apparatuses where the polymer synthesis takes place
- Pyrex & Kimax glassware, for resistance in very large temperature variations (-196o – +650oC)
- Annealing ovens (2), vacuum ovens (2) and drying ovens (2)
- Refrigerators (2) and low temperature freezers down to -300C (4) for storing samples and reagents
- Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) equipped with RI & UV detectors up to 500C
- Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) equipped with RI & DALS detectors up to 500C
- Medium Temperature (1200C) Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) equipped with RI detector
- High Temperature (2200C) Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) equipped with RI detector
- Membrane Osmometry (ΜΟ)
- Vapor Pressure Osmometry (VPO)
- Automated Viscometry for concentrated solutions
- Viscometry of diluted solutions
- Purity and yield control of organic reaction with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
- Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS)
- Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA)
- Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) from -180oC up to 600oC
- Instron 5966 (Dual Column Tabletop Model)
- Contact Angle (CA) measurement capability
- Two (2) Ultra-Cryomicrotomes for thin sections used in TEM [1 through donation from DMSE/MIT and Professor E. L. Thomas) and a new one as of May 2012 (four diamond knives, two for cryomicrotoming and two for environmental microtoming) from Leica Instruments through competitive funding, Leica EM UC7 Ultramicrotome]
- High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM) from JEOL (JEM-2100, LaB6 filament)
- Scanning Electron Microscopy-Low Vacuum (SEM-LV) from JEOL (JSM-6510LV, LaB6 filament)
- Precision Ion Polishing system (PIPS), cross-sectional kit, ultrasonic cutter, disc grinder, dimple grinder from Gatan Inc.
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy [Proton (1H-NMR), Carbon (13C-NMR) and Silicon (29Si-NMR)] through the Network of Research Supporting Laboratories at the University of Ioannina
- UV-Vis Spectroscopy through the Network of Research Supporting Laboratories at the University of Ioannina
- Purity and yield control of organic reactions with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) through the Network of Research Supporting Laboratories at the University of Ioannina
(Belongs in the infrastructure of the Network of Research Supporting Laboratories at the University of Ioannina)
The facility is comprised from:
- One (1) fully equipped and novel Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) with resolution in atomic level (HRΤΕΜ: High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope)
- One (1) fully equipped and novel Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
- Two (2) Ultra-Cryomicrotomes for the preparation of thin sections necessary for TEM observations
- Sample preparation kit for TEM and SEM studies
- Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) of older technology
Support of students' laboratories
- Materials Laboratory V (Polymer Materials) mandatory undergraduate laboratory (12 exercises)
- Materials Technology Laboratory Graduate mandatory laboratory for MSc studies (3-6 exercises)
- Research Laboratory for the completion of undergraduate and MSc diploma theses
- Research Laboratory for experienced researchers (PhD candidates and Post-Doctoral Researchers)
