Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
University of Lethbridge
$38,821.00
Gel permeation chromatograph for polymer characterization
FY 2010-11
Summary
The requested instrument is essential for supporting research conducted in the Synthetic Organometallic Chemistry laboratory of Prof. Paul Hayes, as well as an ongoing interdisciplinary collaboration between he and Prof. Paul Hazendonk, an expert in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.
Specifically, the Hayes group develops new catalyst systems for the polymerization of various lactones. This work is important because polylactones, especially, polylactide (PLA), and polycaprolactone (PCL), exhibit similar bulk properties to common plastics (e.g. polyethylene and polypropylene), but are biodegradable and biologically compatible. In addition, the synthetic precursors to PLA can be found in inexpensive renewable resources, such as beets and corn. Despite these benefits, current technologies offer very little control over key features of the polymer. The Hayes group has established a strategy based upon the synthesis of inexpensive cationic magnesium and zinc species, which, due to their positive charge and vacant coordination site are highly active lactone polymerization catalysts.
In addition, this research program works toward preparing and studying industrially important polyphosphazene materials. These polymers have found application in battery technologies, biodegradable plastics, fire retardant additives, and biocompatible materials for human tissue engineering. These materials are studied by high-resolution multinuclear solid-state NMR spectroscopy. In order to properly analyze the resultant spectra and draw meaningful conclusions, it is vital that the polymers are also characterized by gel permeation chromatography.
The requested Gel Permeation Chromatograph is essential for both research areas because it can provide crucial information, such as the length of polymer chains (molecular weight) and the relative distribution of chain lengths (polydispersity). Since polymer microstructure and morphology is related to the macroscopic properties and potential applications of a material, acquisition of such information is absolutely vital.
Program
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Recipient
Location
Alberta, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
406668-2011
Name nom
Hayes, Paul
Department département
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Organization id
12
Institution établissement
University of Lethbridge
Province en
Alberta
Province fr
Alberta
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2010
Competition year année de concours
2011
Award amount
38821
Program id
EQPEQ
Program name en
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Program name fr
Outils et instruments de recherche - catégorie 1 (<150 000$)
Group en
Discovery grants programs
Group fr
Programmes de subventions à la découverte
Committee code
1504
Committee name en
Chemistry
Committee name fr
Chimie
Area of application code
1202
Area of application group en
Advancement of knowledge
Area of application group fr
Avancement des connaissances
Area of application en
Physical sciences
Area of application fr
Sciences physiques
Research subject code
3602
Research subject group en
Inorganic chemistry
Research subject group fr
Chimie inorganique
Research subject en
Metal and organometallic chemistry
Research subject fr
Chimie métallique et organo-métallique
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
Gel permeation chromatograph for polymer characterization
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
The requested instrument is essential for supporting research conducted in the Synthetic Organometallic Chemistry laboratory of Prof. Paul Hayes, as well as an ongoing interdisciplinary collaboration between he and Prof. Paul Hazendonk, an expert in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.
Specifically, the Hayes group develops new catalyst systems for the polymerization of various lactones. This work is important because polylactones, especially, polylactide (PLA), and polycaprolactone (PCL), exhibit similar bulk properties to common plastics (e.g. polyethylene and polypropylene), but are biodegradable and biologically compatible. In addition, the synthetic precursors to PLA can be found in inexpensive renewable resources, such as beets and corn. Despite these benefits, current technologies offer very little control over key features of the polymer. The Hayes group has established a strategy based upon the synthesis of inexpensive cationic magnesium and zinc species, which, due to their positive charge and vacant coordination site are highly active lactone polymerization catalysts.
In addition, this research program works toward preparing and studying industrially important polyphosphazene materials. These polymers have found application in battery technologies, biodegradable plastics, fire retardant additives, and biocompatible materials for human tissue engineering. These materials are studied by high-resolution multinuclear solid-state NMR spectroscopy. In order to properly analyze the resultant spectra and draw meaningful conclusions, it is vital that the polymers are also characterized by gel permeation chromatography.
The requested Gel Permeation Chromatograph is essential for both research areas because it can provide crucial information, such as the length of polymer chains (molecular weight) and the relative distribution of chain lengths (polydispersity). Since polymer microstructure and morphology is related to the macroscopic properties and potential applications of a material, acquisition of such information is absolutely vital.
