What are Polymer Colloids?
Polymer colloids are an interesting way of making and delivering polymers. Rather than dealing with simple solids of the polymeric material, a polymer colloids consists of a large number of very small polymer beads dispersed in a liquid such as water. Polymer colloids combine the properties of polymers with the properties of colloidal systems.
In short, a colloidal system consists of tiny particles suspended in water, such as clay, paint, and starch. A polymer colloid is a colloidal particle containing many polymer chains. Stabilizers (e.g. soap) are present to stop particles coagulating.
A polymer colloid is like a tiny ball of wool containing many different strands: each strand of wool is like an individual polymer chain.
The science of polymer colloids embraces polymer chemistry, engineering, colloid science and biology. Polymer colloids are common and of great economic importance. For example, latex paint and skim milk are artificial and natural polymer colloids, respectively. The commercial value of artificial polymer colloid products made in Australia alone is about $400 million per year; natural polymer colloids are important in many foods, while other natural polymer colloids (e.g., natural rubber) are means of making polymers from renewable resources.
The need for further research
There is a great need for fundamental research on all aspects of polymer colloids, both from the point of view of pure science and because of their technical importance. The KCPC brings together experts in different areas of the discipline. » more on the expertise in the KCPC
In terms of technical development, there are many unfulfilled needs for novel and/or better industrial and/or agricultural polymer colloids in Australia and in the world: to name but a few, better paints for tropical environments, water- rather than solvent-based manufacture, degradable polymers produced from bacteria, better latexes for medical diagnostics, pesticide replacements in horticulture, and less variability in the results of manufacturing processes. Industrial development is held back both by unsolved scientific problems, and because present polymer colloid manufacturing methods and materials have been found rather than scientifically designed: it is common, when asking an industrial polymer colloid expert what is the reason for some ingredient, to be told "we found it worked, we don't know why".
The Centre's Research Program addresses world-wide scientific problems, bridging gaps between polymer colloid science and engineering, and between artificial and natural polymer colloids. One part looks at aspects of polymer colloids for which the fundamental science has not been established, such as origins of variability in manufacture and difficulties in going from laboratory to large-plant scale. Further, there is knowledge of natural polymer colloids (e.g., in food technology and agriculture) ripe for exploitation by polymer chemists and engineers. Another part of the program is the development of a coherent description of how molecular-level properties of a polymer colloid (e.g., the charge on a particle surface) relate to mechanical properties such as the water sensitivity of a paint film formed from that polymer colloid. These scientific objectives will be of direct benefit to Australian primary and secondary industry: e.g., streamlining the process whereby a more water-resistant paint or pesticide replacement can be developed in a laboratory and brought to economic manufacture. Each project is linked to one or more industrial concerns. » more on the Centre's research program
The Centre's Training Program addresses the problems peculiar to the Australian and world-wide polymer colloid industry, comprising Short Courses for primary and secondary industry and for research students, specialist symposia, integrated and cross-disciplinary undergraduate courses, our Discovery website for providing information of use to high-school students throughout the world, and postgraduate training. Training and technology transfer is also aided by industrial scientists and technologists working and teaching in the Centre. » more on the Short Courses and Symposia
Find out more about the Polymer Division of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute
Find out more about polymers and colloids or about the KCPC and its collaborative linkages.
