jobbank.dk: New nanocellulose-based polymer nanocomposites (SOL-11-2)

<div id="noframeDescription"> The project is designed to investigate new surface treatment technology using polymeric ligands developed at DTU Nanotech to modify the properties of nanofibrillated cellulose. The project is a cooperative activity between Risø DTU, DTU Nanotech, the Paper and Fiber Research Institute of Norway (PFI) and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology Purpose The purpose of the project is to determine whether novel polymeric ligand surface treatments can be used to improve the properties of nanofibrillated cellulose in respect to redispersability and/or compounding with hydrophobic or semi-hydrophobic polymers. Description Over the past decade there has been much interest in nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC), produced from either woody biomass or agricultural plant material by high-shear homogenisation, for a variety of uses and particularly as a low-cost, high strength, renewable and biocompatible reinforcing agent in polymers. However, the production of fully biodegradable or biocompatible nanocomposites with high aspect ratio NFC remains challenging for at least two reasons. First, drying of NFC gels (see figure) which typically contain 90% or more water leads to the phenomenon of hornification, an irreversible agglomeration attributable to extensive hydrogen bonding within a drying network of nanocellulose fibrils. Such agglomeration is clearly undesirable if the advantageous properties of nanocellulose are to be retained within composite materials; moreover, the inability to redisperse previously dried NFC in water creates cost and logistical issues that jeopardize the commerical potential of this unique material. Second, due to the abundance of hydroxyl groups in cellulose, NFC is naturally hydrophilic and therefore is not compatible with hydrophobic polymers (e.g., polyolefins). This surface incompatibility must be overcome if hydrophobic or semi-hydrophobic polymers are targeted for reinforcement with nanocellulose ( i.e., polymers derived from renewable sources such as the polylactides as well as polyolefins). Tasks will include : Conditioning of nanofibrillated cellulose with polymeric ligands to control suspendability and concentration in relevant organic solvents using a ligand exchange method developed in the Surface Engineering Group at DTU Nanotech. Characterization of the stabilized nanofibrillated cellulose (e.g. suspendability in organic solvents, electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering). Preparation and characterisation of films cast from NFCs and polymer-stabilised NFCs – including gas barrier properties, transparency, and mechanical properties The proposed collaborative project is a joint activity between Risø DTU, DTU Nanotech, the Paper and Fiber Research Institute of Norway (PFI) and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). The project would be interdisciplinary in nature and is designed to involve one or possibly two MSc students. Alternatively, a project of this nature could be designed to fit the needs of a final year Bachelor’s project. Qualifications The project would suit students who require a research project for completion of their Masters thesis or alternatively might be designed as a Bachelor’s student final year project Project form Thesis Bachelor project Subjects Chemistry Materials Duration Five months</div> <div id="noframeInfo" title="Info"> Interesseret? 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Opret en agent og få tilsendt sidste nyt fra virksomheden.  ',CENTER,BELOW,OFFSETY,20,WIDTH,200,FGCLASS,'overlibFG',BGCLASS,'overlibBG');" onmouseout="return nd();" onsubmit="$('#messageContent').html('Opretter tilmelding...'); $('#messageBox').animate({ top: '-700px' },'fast',function() { $('#messageBox').animate({ top: '90px' },'fast') }); $.get('/ajax.asp?act=virksomhed/follow/14803/219669/job&mail='+$('#followMail600484729').val(),function(data) { $('#messageContent').html(data); }); return false;"> Følg os: Få vores job og nyheder! Virksomhed Risø DTU Aktiveret 10. januar 2012 Opslagstype Studieprojekt Geografi StorkøbenhavnRoskilde områdetUdlandet (Norge) Uddannelse Kemi, Biotek & MaterialerKlima, Miljø & EnergiMaskin & DesignMatematik, Fysik & NanoNaturvidenskab Arbejdsområde Kunst & KulturForskning & UdviklingKonstruktion & BeregningNaturvidenskabProduktionTeknikTransport & Logistik</div>