Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
University of Waterloo
$150,000.00
Crystallization Elution Fractionation
FY 2008-09
Summary
Polyethylene and polypropylene are high-tonnage plastics used to make bottles, grocery bags, wrapping films, automotive parts, and several other applications. These plastics, known as polyolefins, are very important because of their versatility, low cost and non-toxicity.
Polyolefins are very long chain molecules, made by bonding hundreds to thousands of ethylene, propylene, and other monomers (monomer is a generic name for molecules that make a polymer chain) into a long polymer molecule. Polyolefins are versatile because they can be altered to make products with properties for different applications. For instance, by changing the distribution of ethylene, propylene and other monomers in the polymer chain (known as the chemical composition distribution - CCD), it is possible to make plastics that have properties varying from soft films found in food packaging, to hard plastics used to make plastic pipes and appliances. To better understand these materials, we need to characterize them at the molecular level. This molecular characterization can then be used to enhance the quality of different polyolefin-made products.
Traditionally, the CCD of polyolefins has been measured with two techniques: temperature rising elution fractionation (TREF) or crystallization analysis fractionation (Crystaf). These techniques are accurate, but very time consuming, requiring from 8 to more than 24 hours for completing a polymer analysis. Recently, a new technique, called crystallization elution fractionation (CEF) has been developed that can reduce the analysis time to about 30 minutes, permiting a much faster development of new polyolefin materials.
Currently, one of the bottlenecks for polyolefin development is the long time required for CCD analysis. The advent of CEF will remove this bottleneck and help us develop new materials at a much faster pace. We have a very active, long-term research program in this area, funded by both industry and the Canadian government; this program will be greatly enhanced by the acquisition of this new CEF instrument.
Program
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Recipient
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
375272-2009
Name nom
Soares, Joao
Department département
Chemical Engineering
Organization id
33
Institution établissement
University of Waterloo
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2008
Competition year année de concours
2009
Award amount
150000
Program id
EQPEQ
Program nane 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
4
Committee name en
Chem. & Metallurgical Eng.
Committee name fr
Génies chimique et métal.
Area of application code
508
Area of application group en
Manufacturing processes and products
Area of application group fr
Procédés et produits industriels
Area of application en
Polymers, rubber and plastics
Area of application fr
Polymères, caoutchouc et plastiques
Research subject code
3752
Research subject group en
Polymer chemistry
Research subject group fr
Chimie des polymères
Research subject en
Polymer characterization
Research subject fr
Caractérisation des polymères
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
Crystallization Elution Fractionation
Keyword
NA
Application summary
Polyethylene and polypropylene are high-tonnage plastics used to make bottles, grocery bags, wrapping films, automotive parts, and several other applications. These plastics, known as polyolefins, are very important because of their versatility, low cost and non-toxicity.
Polyolefins are very long chain molecules, made by bonding hundreds to thousands of ethylene, propylene, and other monomers (monomer is a generic name for molecules that make a polymer chain) into a long polymer molecule. Polyolefins are versatile because they can be altered to make products with properties for different applications. For instance, by changing the distribution of ethylene, propylene and other monomers in the polymer chain (known as the chemical composition distribution - CCD), it is possible to make plastics that have properties varying from soft films found in food packaging, to hard plastics used to make plastic pipes and appliances. To better understand these materials, we need to characterize them at the molecular level. This molecular characterization can then be used to enhance the quality of different polyolefin-made products.
Traditionally, the CCD of polyolefins has been measured with two techniques: temperature rising elution fractionation (TREF) or crystallization analysis fractionation (Crystaf). These techniques are accurate, but very time consuming, requiring from 8 to more than 24 hours for completing a polymer analysis. Recently, a new technique, called crystallization elution fractionation (CEF) has been developed that can reduce the analysis time to about 30 minutes, permiting a much faster development of new polyolefin materials.
Currently, one of the bottlenecks for polyolefin development is the long time required for CCD analysis. The advent of CEF will remove this bottleneck and help us develop new materials at a much faster pace. We have a very active, long-term research program in this area, funded by both industry and the Canadian government; this program will be greatly enhanced by the acquisition of this new CEF instrument.
