Dr M Bissett, Prof I Kinloch
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
About the Project
The scope of this project is to investigate the possibilities for the use of nanocomposites based on graphene (and other 1D, 2D and 3D materials) in a broad range of thermoplastic polymers, with focus on engineering and high-performance engineering polymers. The applications of the nanocomposites should be focused but not limited to; mechanical properties, thermal properties, electrical properties, gas barrier properties and rheological properties.
During the past years, a promising approach that has attracted the scientific interest for the preparation of graphene-based composites is the use of hybrid fillers, which consist of graphene-based materials and a second 1D, 2D or 3D material. The combination of the two materials may lead to enhanced properties for the final product as a result of additive or synergistic effects between the two fillers. The hybridisation procedure can result to the production of new materials with multifunctional and diverse properties.
The main goal of this research project is to use melt compounding processes to develop and upscale graphene-based hybrid thermoplastic nanocomposites with enhanced properties compared to the current available products on the market. This project is an industrial collaboration with Colloids (https://colloids.com/). Colloids is a leading manufacturer of thermoplastic masterbatches and compounds providing enhanced mechanical, electrical, thermal and aesthetic properties to a broad range of commercially available polymers (amorphous and semi-crystalline).
This project will have access to the fabrication and characterisation facilities available within the Department of Materials, National Graphene Institute (NGI), the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC), as well as collaboration with the industrial partner Colloids.
The student will require experience in experimental nanocomposite research. and a background 2D materials is preferred, but not essential. Applicants should have or expect to achieve at least a 2.1 honours degree in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry or a related subject.
Funding Notes
Fully funded (Fees & stipend) studentship through Colloids, research contract awaiting student details before signing. Potential applicants should look to start their PhD as soon as possible.
Applicants to this project should have or expect to achieve at least a 2.1 honours degree in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry or a related subject.
Continue with Facebook
