Synthesis and application of novel colloidal material

• Main Author: Young, Robert A.
• Published: University of Warwick 2016
• Subjects: 540; QD Chemistry
• Online Access: https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.759630

Within this thesis we explore the synthesis of novel colloidal particles for the use as both a thermochromic indicator and opacifiers. Initially in Chapter 1 we describe the synthesis of polystyrene copolymers and the effect the co-monomers have upon the phase transitional temperature within dioctyl phthalate. Co-polymers containing varying mol% of copolymers led to a decrease in the transitional temperatures for the systems. Following the determination of the phase transitions, we touched upon the potential to encapsulate the oils and use them within both a soft fibre and a waterborne latex binder as a thermochromic pigment. In Chapter 2 we looked into the synthesis of hollow non-spherical silica particles and their potential use within both ultrasound imaging and films as an opacifying agent. In Chapter 3 we expand upon the use of the silica shells by dispersing them within a PMMA nanocomposite to determine the effect on the mechanical properties. In Chapter 4 we explored further into the UCST systems shown in Chapter 1 with the addition of specialised dye tagging of the polystyrene chains to obtain a fluorescent changes upon phase transition.