Polymers Laboratory
Materials
Science &
Engineering
University of Ioannina
Greece
Research Interests
The Research Interests of the Laboratory include the use of High Vacuum techniques for the accomplishment of Anionic Polymerizations. In a short period of time also we will be able to use Living Radical Polymerization Techniques either via Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization or via Stable Free Radical Polymerization. Up to date the research activities are:
- Synthesis of linear and non-linear diblock copolymers (type AB, ABA and AnB, were A and B different chemical substitute blocks).
- Synthesis of linear and non linear triblocks copolymers.
- Synthesis of new monomers.
- Synthesis of block copolymers with complex architecture.
- Synthesis homo- and co- dendritic polymers with polydienic components.
- Synthesis of biodegradable polymers.
- Synthesis of high hydrophobic linear copolymers with increased molecular weight.
- Development and characterization of polymer matrix composites materials' bilayer.
- Development of composite materials with use of cytterine fiber.
- Study of the mechanism for the strain and break of polymeric materials (emfanized on semicrystaline polymers)
- Development of nanomaterials with polymeric base with emphasis on block copolymers' matrixes.
- Development of thermosets and thermoplastics polymers alloys.
- Development of numerical methods of determined elements for the study of the semicrystalline polymers strain mechanisms
- Study of bilayer of multi alloys.
- Modification methods of nanoparticles with polymerization on their surface
- Development and application of high focused and brightness (Sygchrotron X-Rays) on polymeric materials
- Development of magnetic nanomaterials
- Development of organic-non organic hybrid nanomaterials
- Development of advanced pharmaceutical carries
Essential for the manipulation of purifications, reactors, of organic reactions and polymerizations is the creation of glass apparatus via propane - oxygen flame (temperature bigger than 700 οC). With this way it is feasible to melt and give Pyrex or Kimax glass specific shape, in order to create the suitable glass reactors (scientific glass blowing). Even the lines of inert atmosphere, simple vacuum and high vacuum of the laboratory are manufactured by this way. The Laboratory of Polymeric Materials allocates 4 units of glass blowing.
The Molecular Characterization of the composed polymers is being accomplished via Size Exclusion Chromatography equipped with UV and RI detectors, Viscometry of Dillute Sollutions, Membrane Osmometer and Vapor Osmometer. Τhe laboratory ισ equipped with Size Exclusion Chromatography apparatus including TALLS-UV-RI detectors. Also there is established an UltraCryoMicrotome, given by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering of MIT (Prof. E. L. Thomas) in order to accomplish the preparation for TEM morphological characterization of polymeric materials. there are also new thermal and mechanical analysis' equipment established in the laboratory (DSC, DMA, TMA, Instron) that compile to a new era the characterization of polymers for the Laboratory. It should be mentioned that Atomic Force Microscopes facilities are available and are at the moment on establishment state, as these microsft along as the TMA facility where donored by The leibniz - Institute for Polymer Research, IPF Dresden, Germany (Prof. Manfred Stamm). Also on December 2011 the establishement of two state of the Art High Resolution TEM and SEM is scheduled.
Further Molecular Characterization with GC-MS, NMR, UV and FTIR Spectroscopies is accomplished through the collaboration of the laboratory with the Laboratories' Network at the University of Ioannina.
Also, major research activity of the Laboratory is the Morphological Characterization of the composed polymers via Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy and with High Resolution Transmitance Electronic Microscopy. Additionally the Morphological Characterization is defined with Small Angle X-Ray Scattering.
At the moment the Morphological Characterization is accomplished abroad through collaborating Institutions.