About the Project
The Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies (CSCT) at the University of Bath focuses on developing new molecules, materials, processes and systems from the lab right through to industrial application, with an emphasis on practical sustainability. We train scientists and engineers to work together with industry to meet the needs of current and future generations.
All PhD students in the Centre will conduct high quality, challenging research directed by supervisors from a number of departments, including Biology & Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Pharmacy & Pharmacology and Physics. All will also receive training in public engagement, sustainability and other transferable skills.
We are now accepting applications to work with our industrial partner, Total Corbion, on this exciting PhD project.
Background: Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is the most promising commercially viable bio-based polymer and it is produced at a significant scale via the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of lactide (LA), for example at Total Corbion’s new 75 ktpa facility in Thailand. In addition to commodity applications in packaging, fibres, consumer goods, etc., LA can be copolymerized with other cyclic esters.
We have recently shown that zirconium amine(trisphenolate) catalysts are competitive with commercial catalysts for production of PLLA but, in addition, offer the possibility of sequence control through both stereoselective monomer enchainment of LA monomers and chemoselective monomer enchainment of mixed cyclic esters. For example, polymerization of rac-LA yields highly hetrotactically enriched PLA.
Project Outline: In this project we propose to exploit the selectivity of these Zr-based catalysts to control monomer sequence in predominantly L-LA copolymers in order to tune the physical and mechanical properties of commercial bio-based plastics to enhance end-of-life options through recycling and/or degradation. For example, controlled introduction of non PLA blocks in PLLA should allow control over degradation and barrier properties.
Throughout, we will focus on copolymerisation kinetics in solution and in the melt phase (NMR, FTIR), copolymer structure (NMR, mass spec, GPC, XRPD, SAXS), and physical and mechanical properties (DSC, DMA, TGA). For promising materials we will also investigate important properties such as degradation rates and gas permeability.
Applications & enquiries:
We invite applications from Science and Engineering graduates who have, or expect to obtain, a first or upper second class degree and have a strong interest in Sustainable Chemical Technologies.
Informal enquiries about the research project should be directed to Prof Matthew Davidson, [Email Address Removed].
Enquiries about the application process should be sent to [Email Address Removed].
Formal applications should be made via the University of Bath’s online application form:
https://samis.bath.ac.uk/urd/sits.urd/run/siw_ipp_lgn.login?process=siw_ipp_app&code1=RDUCH-FP01&code2=0013
Please ensure that you quote CSCT in the Finance section and the supervisor’s name and project title in the ‘Your research interests’ section.
More information about applying for a PhD at Bath may be found here:
http://www.bath.ac.uk/guides/how-to-apply-for-doctoral-study/
Anticipated start date: 30 September 2019.
Funding Notes
UK and EU citizens applying for this project will be considered for a studentship covering UK/EU tuition fees and a stipend at the UKRI Doctoral Stipend rate (£15,009 in 2019/20) for a period of up to 3.5 years.
Candidates who are classed as Overseas for tuition fee purposes are unfortunately not eligible for funding.
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