About this event

Overview

Graphene based membrane and beyond - Dr. Yang Su

Molecular transport at nanometer scale has revealed many intriguing phenomena that call for fundamental understanding and application exploration. In particular, 2D materials based laminar membranes that comprise many subnanometer channels and provide molecular level separation, have attracted great interests for their promising applications in separation technology and environmental preservation. In this talk, I will introduce our work on the modulation of the interlayer channels inside the laminar graphene oxide membranes. Through chemically closure of the channels, we have converted the water filtering membrane into impermeable barrier coatings. By control the assembly defects, we realized the permeation of organic solvents through the membrane which was believed not possible previously and could find great application for organic solvent nanofiltration. Finally, I will highlight, other than molecular passages, the 2D channels inside the membrane could regulate crystal growth with self-limiting growth behavior. In addition, Yang will introduce the research on printed electronics and the ongoing research activities in Loughborough.

Well-defined copolymer synthesis and polymer self-assembly - Dr. Fiona Hatton

The talk will be an overview of Fiona’s previous research experience and expertise which has a common theme of polymer synthesis and self-assembly. Synthetic routes to achieving such polymers have included reversible deactivation radical polymerisation techniques (ATRP, RAFT) to prepare polymers with well-defined compositions and architectures. Manipulation of these well-defined polymers to give self-assembled nanoparticles has been of particular interest for various applications. Including, nanoprecipitation of hyperbranched polydendrons for drug delivery applications, natural-synthetic copolymer hybrids for modifying cellulose surfaces and preparation of diblock copolymer nanoparticles via polymerisation-induced self-assembly as Pickering emulsifiers. In particular, recent in situ experiments have been conducted using small-angle X-ray scattering to follow the nucleation and growth of such nanoparticles during the self-assembly process. Furthermore, Fiona will highlight some of the work she has initiated since joining L’boro University and research plans for the future.