Breaking the chain - sustainable polymeric materials with plasma technology

塑料是社会的基石，但塑料垃圾是一场环境悲剧。每年生产3.7亿吨塑料，其中79%被一次性使用并丢弃。由于全球塑料产能将在2040年前翻一番，提高可持续性的需求迫在眉睫，但尚未得到满足。由多层不同聚合物组成的复合塑料材料在所有部门都普遍使用，但它们的回收利用极具挑战性。本专业将探索一种基于等离子体的新方法，在聚合物薄膜上沉积薄的功能涂层，创造出一种既具有复合材料的优点，又具有单层材料的可回收性的材料。这一领域的成功将是变革性的，极大地降低与塑料生产和回收相关的能源和材料成本。该项目将分三个阶段进行，每个阶段都有能力提供高质量的科学成果：阶段(1)大气压等离子体卷对卷聚合物处理系统的物理和化学特性--首先，指定的学生将接受使用先进光学诊断技术的培训，以评估低温等离子体与移动的聚合物膜相互作用的物理化学性质。阶段(2)将聚合物特性与等离子体参数联系起来--了解等离子体参数与由此产生的暴露聚合物的物理/化学变化之间的复杂联系，对于开发先进的功能材料至关重要。学生将接受一系列先进的表面诊断技术(例如傅立叶变换红外、原子力显微镜、X射线光电子能谱和核磁共振)的培训，以便了解等离子体参数和暴露的聚合物材料的特征之间的联系。阶段(3)探索和优化与行业相关的新型等离子体功能化薄膜-将利用在阶段1和2中获得的理解来创造一系列新型聚合物材料，这些材料具有多层复合材料的优势和单层薄膜的可回收性。最终，该项目将有助于EPSRC的战略交付计划。第一和第二阶段将探索等离子体介导聚合背后的基础科学，在物理、化学和工程的交叉点产生新的见解和世界级的想法。在已有知识的基础上，该活动将通过创造具有显著增强的可回收性的新型聚合物材料，支持受使命启发的净零工程战略目标。

Plastics are a cornerstone of society, yet plastic waste is an environmental tragedy. Each year 370 million metric tons of plastic are produced, 79% of which is used once and discarded. With global plastic production capacity set to double before 2040, there is an urgent and as yet unmet need to improve sustainability. Composite plastic materials, comprising of multiple layers of different polymers, are used ubiquitously across all sectors, yet they are extremely challenging to recycle. This studentship will explore a novel plasma-based approach to deposit thin functional coatings on polymeric films, creating a material that offers the benefits of a composite with the recyclability of a monolayered material. Success in this area would be transformative, vastly reducing the energy and material costs associated with plastic production and recycling. The project will be conducted in three phases, each having the capacity to deliver quality scientific outputs:Phase (1) physical and chemical characterization of an atmospheric pressure plasma roll-to-roll polymer treatment system - Initially, the appointed student will be trained in the use of advanced optical diagnostic techniques to assess the physicochemical properties of low temperature plasma interacting with a moving polymeric film. Phase (2) Linking polymer characteristics to plasma parameters - Understanding the complex link between plasma parameters and the resulting physical/chemical changes of the exposed polymer is vital for the development of advanced functional materials. The student will be trained in a host of advanced surface diagnostic techniques (e.g. Fourier Transform Infrared, Atomic Force Microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) enabling the link between plasma parameters and the characteristics of exposed polymer materials to be understood.Phase (3) Exploration and optimisation of novel plasma functionalised films with industry relevance - The understanding gained in phases 1 and 2 will be exploited to create a host of novel polymeric materials that offer the advantage of a multilayer composite material with the recyclability of a monolayered film. Ultimately, the project will contribute towards the EPSRC strategic delivery plan. Phases one and two will explore the underpinning science behind plasma mediated polymerisation yielding new insight and world-class ideas at the intersection between physics, chemistry and engineering. Building on the knowledge gained, the activity will support the mission-inspired strategic goal of engineering net zero, through the creation of novel polymeric materials with significantly enhanced recyclability.