Development of polymeric nanocarriers in continuous flow for the controlled release of agrochemicals

这是一项化学博士研究项目。使用定义明确的聚合物纳米载体可以促进生物活性化合物(如杀虫剂)的受控释放，同时减少保护和提高特定作物生产力所需的化合物的量。为了控制生物活性物质的载量和随后的释放，最重要的是开发定义明确的聚合物纳米载体的合成策略，同时减轻对环境的负面影响。这个PHD项目的目的是结合聚合物和纳米粒子合成、多孔材料的开发和先进的散射技术(即中子散射)的专业知识，以改进和优化定制的纳米载体的理想性能以及农用化学品的控制释放。具体地说，我们希望测试是否可以使用最先进的流动技术来制备定义良好的尺寸的可生物降解的聚合物纳米载体。此外，使用先进的散射技术进行结构表征将使我们能够优化纳米胶囊的性能，并进一步控制生物活性化合物的释放。“

"This is a PhD research project in Chemistry. The use of well-defined polymer nanocarriers can promote controlled release of bioactive compounds, e.g. pesticides, whilst reducing the amount of compound required to protect and to enhance the productivity of a given crop. To control loading of the bioactive agents and their subsequent release, it is paramount to develop synthetic strategies of well-defined polymeric nanocarriers whilst mitigating negative environmental impact.The aim of this PhD project is to combine expertise in polymer and nanoparticle synthesis, development of porous materials and advanced scattering techniques (i.e. neutron scattering) in order to improve and optimise desirable properties of bespoke nanocarriers as well as the controlled release of agrochemicals.Specifically, we wish to test whether biodegradable polymer nanocarriers of well-defined size can be prepared using state-of-the-art flow technology. Furthermore, structural characterisation using advanced scattering techniques will allow us to optimise the properties of the nanocapsules and further control the release of biologically active compounds."