Dissertation

Anisotropic colloids in soft matter environments : particle synthesis and interaction with interfaces

Ballard, Nicholas

2012

Overview

We have shown new applications and synthetic routes for polymer colloids in the field of home and personal care products by controlling polymer and/or colloidal architectures. Our initial aim was to develop functional particles that imparted beneficial properties to fibrous substrates and as such our first goal was to develop a method for depositing particles onto such surfaces. Chapter 2 describes the method by which we achieved this goal, namely adding a small amount of a low glass transition polymer to an otherwise non-adhesive polymer to enhance colloidal deposition. Following on from this work we looked into ways in which to impart desirable characteristics from the particles onto fibres. In Chapter 3 we describe how the use of a hydrazide functional monomer in polymer gels can provide a continuing slow release of fragrance molecules that reacts to the environment it is held in such that if the local fragrance concentration is low then more is released. In Chapter 4 we describe the synthesis of highly porous particles with controlled pore sizes and the use of such particles in oil absorption for applications in water-free cleaning systems. The particles are capable of carrying many times their own weight in oil and are shown to be reusable. In Chapter 5 we describe a computational model that predicts the ability of a particle to stabilize emulsions. The model is highly adaptable and can be used to predict the surface activity of almost any particle morphology. Chapter 6 builds on this work and described the synthesis of highly anisotropic polymer particles by templating preexisting structures and explains their surface activity, or lack thereof.

• Publisher: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
• Subject: Physical chemistry