Projects / Programmes
Physico-Chemical Processes on the Surface Layers and Application of Nanoparticles
January 1, 2014
- December 31, 2017
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.02.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Chemical engineering |
|
| 1.04.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Chemistry |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| P003 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Chemistry |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.04 |
Engineering and Technology |
Chemical engineering
|
| 1.04 |
Natural Sciences |
Chemical sciences |
Researchers (18)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
In the frame of programme group (PG), research in the field of chemistry of materials especially on active surfaces will be continued. Research activities will be conducted within four work packages: porous polymers with functional surfaces, phenomena on metal surfaces, inorganic nanoparticles and their use and sensor elements. In parallel, supporting research for the proper characterisation of new materials will be conducted. Common thread for all packages is the interfacial phenomena, as understanding of them is crucial for optimisation and application of new materials.
Research of porous polymers is important as they represent the material useful in numerous areas like energy and gas storage, support material in biomedicine, catalyst and reagent carriers, separation techniques etc. In the frame of PG the focus will be on o controlling creation of pores on several levels from nano sized pores to several tens of micrometers. For this, several techniques will be used like solvothermal synthesis and use of porogenic solvents for nano sized pores and colloid templates for larges pores. Besides free radical polymerization thiol-ene and ROM polymerization will be used thus enabling a wider choice of monomers. Porous materials will be prepared in the shape of monoliths and membranes which will enable direct testing and application in the form of columns and membrane modules. Furthermore, the shape of monolith can be adjusted to the application needs.
In the work package for the metal surfaces, kinetics and mechanisms of the reaction on corrosive metal surfaces like pure metals, alloys or metal coated polymers, will be studied. Aggressive media and elevated temperature will be used which will give us an insight into reaction on surfaces and the process of corrosion.
Within the WP nanoparticles, inorganic nano materials with varied morphology, like metal chalcogenides and covered magnetic nanoparticles will be produced using several synthetic methods i.e. microemulsion, sol/gel and sonochemical. Metal chalcogenides are mainly used in solar cells but also as pat of the materials for electrodes, catalysts, radiation filters and gas sensors. Furthermore, covered nanoparticles are applicable in biomedical applications (hyperthermia, controlled drug delivery). It is therefore expected that new nanomaterials will be useful for various applications in technology and biomedicine.
Sensors in both classical and flow systems, with improved selectivity by the use of novel nano materials, will be the focus of WP4. After the inclusion of materials into a matrix like metal support or graphite paste, improvements are expected in terms of reaction times, interference, selectivity, detection limit and work area.
Significance for science
Research in the framework of PG will focus on the interaction between different areas, on phase borders between different materials and the contact material/medium. Many important processes, for example adsorption, catalysis, corrosion, biological processes, depend on the surface processes. Improving the understanding of surface processes is therefore of utmost importance for science. The results of research carried out in the PG will also have applied character as the effectiveness of many industrial processes depends on a good understanding of phenomena at the surface.
Within the framework of the research program and the proposed work the promotion of science, the adequate representation of scientific and professional work at home and abroad is anticipated.
The research results of porous polymers synthesis will be significant for enabling the preparation of polymeric materials with the desired morphological structure tailored to the application.
The preparation of so-called tailor-made polymeric structures will be possible by applying new knowledge on methods of influencing the morphological structure, particularly pore size and pore size distribution.
The research results will also be an important contribution to the basic knowledge in the field of chemical-resistant steels (austenitic, ferrite), the mechanism and kinetics of corrosion and passivation at various (including extreme) conditions of use. With various methods of steel pre-treatment it is possible to influence the material corrosion resistance before using the material. The surfactants protect the metal surface so that its functional groups are adsorbed on the metal surface. Therefore, the knowledge of the chemistry of adsorption processes is of major importance in the selection of an appropriate inhibitor.
New nanomaterials and nano-composites for biomedical and/or technological applications will be synthesized. It is expected that it will be possible to influence the extraordinary properties of nanoparticles using different synthetic methods that produce particles with different morphological characteristics. Development of new nanoparticles and composite nanomaterials will give us new insights into the behaviour of nanoparticles in different matrices, where the phenomena have not yet been studied (e.g, distribution of nanoparticles in emulsions).
In the frame work of the development of new sensor systems combined approaches with porous polymers and nanoparticles will be performed. In that way new information on the structure and selectivity of the sensor elements will be gained.
The results of research in the PG will be disseminated in the form of publications in international journals.
Significance for the country
Research work in the PG is based around preparation and application of new materials. Therefore, the research findings are important for the Slovenian and international society. The research results will be disseminated after the appropriate protection of intellectual property. They will be accessible to the Slovenian and international public. It is expected that the results of research obtained in the PG will be useful for industry's interests in the field of separation techniques (chromatographic materials), metal materials (corrosion protection), biomedicine (porous polymeric materials for cell culture and tissue engineering, biomedical sensors), ecological protection industry (separation membrane), electronic technologies (EMW filters).
Applicability of porous polymers is reflected in the areas of separation, where members of the PG are already collaborating with company BIA Separations, Ajdovščina, Beti Metlika, Strix Ljubljana, and others. The research of porous polymer in biomedical purposes is expected to have an impact in the application in the development of cell cultures, as the interaction between the surface of the material and the cells can be influenced by changing the factors affecting the surface properties.
Research in the PG also deals with many of the problems of corrosion, namely in process engineering, construction industry, power plants, medicine, etc. A better understanding of corrosion processes allows for better pre-treatment, as well as anticorrosion protection and the selection of the appropriate chemical resistant metallic materials.
The results of the program will be very important for the Slovenian industry. The company BIA Separations Ljubljana is one of the world leaders in the field of polymeric carriers for separation technology. The company cooperates with the Slovenian pharmaceutical industry (Lek, Krka) in the treatment of active pharmaceutical ingredients, vaccines and viruses, so the results of the program will indirectly benefit those companies. The results of basic discoveries will be important for the development of separation technologies and synthetic organic chemistry (polymeric catalysts carriers).
With the mentoring of graduates at the undergraduate and postgraduate programs research work and knowledge will be transferred to the students and technical personnel for the needs of Slovenian society.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2014,
2015,
2016,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2014,
2015,
2016,
final report
