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Rheology and Materials Processing Centre
Rheology and Materials Processing CentreRheology and Materials Processing Centre
An Overview
Nano-materials and Nanotechnology Research
Professor Paul Slatter, Director
Rheology and Materials Processing CentreRMIT University
AT
Rheology and Materials Processing Centre
Project Areas
1. Nanostructured Functional Materials
2. Heat Reflective Cool Pigments
3. Nanopigments for Inks
4. Nano-Emulsions
Rheology and Materials Processing Centre
1. Nanostructured Functional MaterialsProjects
– Clay based Nano-structured Pigments
– Synthetic Polymeric Nanopigments
– Nanopigments with Special Optical Properties
– Nano Particles with Anti-Microbial Activities
Research Group– Prof Sati Bhattacharya
– Dr Sumanta Raha
– Dr Nurul Quazi
– Dr Ivan Ivanov
Rheology and Materials Processing Centre
Clay based Nano-structured Pigments
1 Rhodamine / PP2 Nanopigment / PP
UV-Exposed
unexposed
• Hybrid Clay-Dye Intercalated Structure• Enhanced UV Stability• Improved Thermal Stability• Suitable for Outdoor applications
Rhodamine based hybrid Nanopigment RNP Enhanced UV-stability
Rheology and Materials Processing Centre
Synthetic Polymeric Nanopigments
• Provisional Patent lodged (Nov 2008)• Licensing Agreement signed for
Commercialisation
Fluorescent Nanopigment : PNP 98
• Dye fixed in a cross-linked polymeric matrix• 100% organic nanopigment• Non-leaching (protection for the environment)• Nano-scale particle size with controllable size
distribution• Enhanced colour-fastness and UV-stability
Rheology and Materials Processing Centre
Current Interests - Nanostructured Functional Materials
• Nanopigments with Special Optical Properties– Development of Unique Optical Signatures in Nanopigments– Target Applications : Document Security
• Nano Particles with Anti-Microbial Properties– Anti-Fouling Coatings in Ship Hull and Other Marine Structures– Non-Leaching and Environmentally Safer compared with current
anti-fouling agents– Potential Collaborators:
• Prof John Buckeridge and Group (Environmental Engineering)• Prof David Mainwaring and Group (Applied Chemistry)
Rheology and Materials Processing Centre
Environmental Impacts
• Replace toxic heavy metal based pigments • Leaching of the dye either eliminated or greatly reduced – safer
for users and for the environment• Enhanced colour-fastness and photo-stability
– Longer application life
Nanopigments
• Leaching of the Reactive Molecules can be eliminated or greatly reduced – safer for users and for the environment
• Longer application life
Functionally Active Nano Particles (e.g. Anti-microbial activity)
Rheology and Materials Processing Centre
Current Collaborations - Nanostructured Functional Materials
• Nanopigment doped polymers for novel optical devices– With Dr Gorgi Kostovski (SECE/MMTC) and Co-Investigators.– Will investigate if nanopigments can be used in optical micro-
channels by replacing traditional dyes and the possible improvements in their photo-chemical stability.
• Silicon-on-Insulator photonic device as a bio-sensing platform– With Dr Thach Nguyen (SECE/MMTC) and Co-Investigators.– Will investigate the response of waveguide sensors to chromatic
and bio-molecules adsorbed on the waveguide surface.
Rheology and Materials Processing Centre
2. Heat Reflective Cool Pigments for Cars
Objectives:• To reduce heat build up in automobiles and buildings• To prolong the life of coated parts• To reduce air-conditioning (reduced CO2 emission)
Heat-reflective pigments allow for the design of products that remain cool under the sun-without sacrificing colour
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Lumogen P1P2 P3
Balwinder KaurPhD Researcher
Rheology and Materials Processing Centre
3. Nanopigments for Inks
Key Features:• Intercalated Clay/Dye Nanopigments• Improved Colour-fastness• Reduced Leaching during application• Better UV-resistance
Edwin BaezPhD Researcher
Dye applied on Paper
Nanopigment applied on Paper
Nanopigments can offer better image durability than dyes. Their heavy- metal-free nature is an environmentally friendly alternative over conventional pigments.
Rheology and Materials Processing Centre
4. Nano-Emulsions
Objectives:• To produce Oil-in Water Nano-
Emulsions using phase inversion tempearature (PIT) method
• To investigate their stability and the effect of electrolytes
Research Team• Firoozeh Pourjavaheri-Jad• Dr. Raj Parthasarathy
Oil-in Water Nano-Emulsions produced by Phase Inversion Temperature Method.
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0 M NaCl0.025 M NaCl0.050 M NaCl0.075 M NaCl0.1 M NaCl
Storage and AppearanceCryo-SEM of a freshly frozen Nano-Emulsion
Particle size distribution (DLS)of fresh Nano-Emulsions
Day 0 Day 3
Rheology and Materials Processing Centre
Quo vadis?• Rust-rods for cancer treatment• Inverse Phase (W/O) supersaturated
trans/dermal patches• Manipulation of tailings rheology