Polyurethane nanocomposite

Under offer

Applicants with skills/experience in polymer chemistry, biobased material, and/or biomass valorisation are encouraged to apply

Academic Lead: Dr Laleh Moghaddam

Queensland University of Technology

Polyurethanes (PUs) are one of the most versatile polymers with applications in a wide range of fields, including construction, automotive, furniture, medical, and packaging industries, etc. Lignin and fatty acids can be used as bio-polyol resources for PU preparation. Depending on the source and properties of the polyol, polyurethane applications are varied. Lignin and its derivatives are renewable resources derived from agricultural biomass that contain high levels of aromatic groups suitable for PU generation. The chemical modification of lignin, including grafting, hydrogenolysis, and demethylation, is an effective strategy to improve the reactivity of the lignin-based polymers.

This project aims to prepare biobased, nanocomposite, polyurethane films with antimicrobial properties. To improve the bioactive and mechanical properties of the prepared PUs films, nano-chitosan, lignin nano particles and nano-cellulose will be applied as nanoparticles to synthesise PUS-nanoparticle hybrid materials.