Development of Nanomaterial Coating and Stabilising Strategies

存在开发有效材料以吸收红外（IR）光的未满足的需求，例如，用于IR签名管理。非球形纳米粒子具有独特的光电性能，是一种光谱选择性吸收体，其吸收带与纳米粒子的几何形状密切相关。然而，以可控和可重复的形式合成具有所需几何形状和性质的纳米颗粒，并将其配制成稳定的材料用于大规模生产是具有挑战性的。该项目旨在开发纳米复合涂层（涂料），其中包含银纳米棒（AgNR），以选择性地吸收红外电磁波段。化学将首先被优化用于具有可控几何形状的纳米颗粒形成。然后将建立AgNR的包封以形成具有官能团的稳定纳米颗粒，以适合包含在聚合物中。与一个平行的博士项目一起，将开发和评估使用连续流反应器大规模形成纳米复合涂层作为IR阻断剂。该项目将由工程和化学通过跨学科的方法，利用不同的专业知识和跨学科的独特的基础设施，共同进行。候选人要求：学生在相关学科至少有一个上二（2：1）类学位（例如，化学，材料科学，化学工程）被邀请申请。在相关领域的研究经验或硕士学位将是非常有益的。仅限英国/欧盟公民（由于资金限制）。

There are unmet needs to develop effective materials to absorb infra-red (IR) light, e.g., for IR signature management. With unique optoelectronic properties, nanoparticles especially in non-spherical shape have demonstrated to be spectral selective absorbers, where the electromagnetic absorption bands strongly depend on nanoparticles' geometries. However, it is challenging to synthesise such nanoparticles with desired geometries and properties in a controllable and reproducible format, and formulate them into stable materials for large-scale production. This project aims to develop nanocomposite coatings (paints) incorporating silver nanorods (AgNRs) to selectively absorb IR electromagnetic bands. Chemistries will first be optimised for nanoparticle formation with controllable geometries. Encapsulation of the AgNRs to form stable nanoparticles with functional groups for suitable inclusion into polymers will then be established. Together with a parallel going PhD project, the formation of nanocomposite coatings in large-scale using continuous flow reactors will be developed and evaluated as IR blockers. This project will be conducted jointly by Engineering and Chemistry through an interdisciplinary approach drawing on diverse expertise and unique infrastructure available across disciplines.Candidate Requirements: Students with at least an upper second (2:1) class degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering) are invited to apply. Research experience or a Master's degree in a related area would be highly beneficial. UK/EU nationals only (due to funding restrictions).