Objective
The aim of this project is:
to synthesise several types of new polyampholyte gels based on monomers which are commercial products of Kazakstan, by gamma-irradiation polymerisation;
to investigate the physico-chemical, deformational and conformational characteristics of polyampholyte gels as functions of pH, temperature and ionic strength of the solution;
to study the ability of ampholyte gels to complex heavy metal ions and organic molecules (dyes, surfactants and phenols);
to search the possible area of application of gels in waste water treatment and environment control.
A series of superabsorbent polyampholyte gels with varying charge densities will be synthesised. The kinetics and mechanism of three-dimensional polymerisation of acidic and basic monomers in the presence of both low- and high-molecular-weight cross-linking agents will be elucidated. Physico-chemical, conformational and deformational properties of the polymers will be studied.
The swelling degree, the average density of cross-links, and the average molecular weight between cross-links will be determined in order to understand and predict the behaviour of hydrogels. In particular, the effect of the type and structure of the cross-linking agents on the properties of the gels will be studied. This in turn can lead to the ability to design polyampholyte gels to meet certain specific needs.
To get detailed information concerning the microstructure, morphology and microenvironment of the polymers, methods as IR-, Raman-, NMR-, fluorescent- and X-ray spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering will be applied. The influence of pH and ionic strength of the external solution as well as temperature on the swelling and shrinking of hydrogels will be studied. Attention will also be paid to the structure and properties of polyampholyte gels at the isoelectric point (IEP).
Complexation of polyampholytes with transition metal ions and dye molecules will be carefully investigated in order to apply the hydrogels for purification of waste water from heavy metal ions (including radionuclides), organic ions and molecules. The volume change triggered by changes in pH and temperature can be of help in constructing pH-sensors and thermoswitches for environmental control.
The scientific results of the formation and properties of the polyampholyte gels obtained will be published in international scientific journals and at international conferences.
Call for proposal
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00014 HY Helsinki
Finland