Lab: TW 454
Lab Phone: (414) 288-2074
Recent group members at Harrington Beach State Park (left to right):Yolanda K. Jones (Ph.D. 2005, currently an assistant professor at Alcorn State University), Daniel Hall (Alcorn St. University undergrad), Everson Kandare (Ph.D. 2006, currently postdoctoral fellow at University of Bolton, UK) and Hongmei Deng (Ph.D. 2004, currently at Instrumental Analysis & Research Center at Shanghai University).
Projects:
A. Layered Metal Hydroxide Materials: Fundamental Reactivity and
Development for Selected Applications
Hydroxy double salts and
other layered metal hydroxides have been synthesized in our laboratory. A representative structure is shown to the right. The composition of the metal
hydroxide layer and the identity of the interlayer
anions can be varied, providing tunability in structure
and properties. Target applications include fire retardancy, chemical sensors, and drug delivery.
We also explore fundamental structure/reactivity Relationships in these materials.
Example: Use of hydroxy double salts (HDSs) as additives to enhance thermal stability of polymers such as poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)
Thermogravimetric analysis of PMMA, pure Zn/Cu hydroxy methacrylate HDS, and composites of PMMA with 2-4% by weight HDS. The addition of small amounts of HDS stabilizes the PMMA against mass loss.
 |
 |
|---|
Cone calorimetry is used to evaluate heat release during polymer combustion – addition of copper-containing HDS additives serves to decrease total heat release (not all of the polymer burns).
Example: Model systems for controlled drug release
B. Chemical Sensor Development
Our group also participates in an interdisciplinary program in chemical sensor development with collaborators Dr. Fabien Josse and Dr. Susan Schneider in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Klingler College of Arts & Sciences
