Friday, 12 May 11:00am – 12:00pm

This seminar will be delivered in Chemistry Lecture Theatre 4 and Online (Zoom) Please email chemistry.researchsupport@sydney.edu.au for zoom link and password.

Speaker: Dr David Nguyen, School of Chemistry

Host: Dr David Nguyen

Title: From Janus particles via polymerization induced self-assembly (PISA) for pigment encapsulation to solving problems with recycling HDPE milk bottles

Abstract:

Part I

The seeded emulsion polymerization using RAFT has been explored to synthesize polymer Janus particles in quantity with an aim for commercial applications. The process employs our developed and patented method using self-assembly RAFT controlled free radical emulsion polymerization. Synthesized polymer Janus particles have been found to be surface active and can be driven onto different interfaces. This offers an opportunity to modify or alter surface properties of in/organic materials, making them more compatible with commercial binder latexes. Roles, mechanism and impacts of polymer Janus particle on resulting polymer thin films will be investigated and discussed in this work.

Part II

Adhesive (glue) is an important component in securing label onto bottle surface to convey product information to customers in the dairy industry. However, it is a major contaminant which reduces the recycling efficiency of HDPE milk bottles. We recently developed a glue characterization method to quantify the glue contaminant problem in the recycled HDPE (re-HDPE). Our group also discovered a new process which could efficiently remove label and glue from surface without washing step.

Bio: Dr. Duc (David) Nguyen is a polymer scientist from the Key Centre for Polymers and Colloids (KCPC), school of chemistry, the University of Sydney. He has 20-year experience working with number of industry partners such as Dulux (Australia) (paints and coatings), Syngenta (agrochemicals), Gelion (battery), NSSN/Pegras/Labelmakers (HDPE recycling), Pegras (microplastic removal). He is a co-inventor of 11 patent families with strong interests in energy storage, waste material recycling, microplastic removal.