Drawing of Flexible Chain Polymers in High Pressure CO2
EPA Grant Number: U915565Title: Drawing of Flexible Chain Polymers in High Pressure CO2
Investigators: Hobbs, Terry R.P.
Institution: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
EPA Project Officer: Thompson, Delores
Project Period: September 1, 1999 through September 1, 2000
Project Amount: $30,946
RFA: STAR Graduate Fellowships (1999)
Research Category: Academic Fellowships , Fellowship - Chemistry and Materials Science , Engineering and Environmental Chemistry
Description:
Objective:The objective of this research project is to develop a scientific and engineering understanding of the interaction between CO2 and polymers at various levels (i.e., the continuum level). The results will aid in the development of low-energy, benign-processing techniques for polymer processing, textile dyeing, and the production of high-performance fibers.
Approach:High-pressure equipment, including isothermal cells and a high-pressure tensile drawing apparatus, has been built to study polymer deformation. Polymers are drawn in CO2 or investigated using dynamic measurements. The resultant materials are analyzed using a variety of physical techniques such as x-ray diffraction, differential-scanning calorimetry, polarized-light microscopy, density, and scanning electron microscopy. Mechanical measurements also are used to obtain engineering properties.
Supplemental Keywords:fellowship, carbon dioxide, green engineering, fibers, polymers, polymer processing, textile dyeing, high-performance fibers production.