POLQUITEX

The group works on the study of the micro- and macro-characterization of polymer materials and chemical systems relating to the textile and/or chemical industries.

It is currently working on 3 main lines: the modification and optimization of polymer-related processes (synthesis, modification and treatments) and the variables used in their industrial applications (drug-delivery, biomolecule insertion, active substance encapsulation, absorption). chemical compounds, as well as in the control of the properties of the final product (permeability, desorption kinetics, color, mechanical properties, surface characteristics, durability).

 

A second line is devoted to the structural characterization and determination of the mechanical and thermal behavior of composites and new sustainable materials. These are materials made of decommissioned tires (NFUs), which are microwave irradiated and mixed with new elastomers, producing new elastomeric materials with properties similar to those of the original products. Cross-cutting elastomers can be achieved through the de-vulcanization and revulcanization process by reusing 50% NFU.

 

A third line of research is the use of biogenic resources for the preparation of biocomposite materials. Specifically, the research is focused on the conditioning of biogenic waste (cellulosic or keratinic), through low-cost stabilization pretreatments and with minimal environmental impact, to obtain technical materials that can be industrially manipulated. These stabilized residues can be mixed with polymers to obtain biocomposites or "green" composites. In any case, the goal is to improve the efficiency of the use of natural resources.

 

In order to manufacture and characterize the products that are synthesized and the materials obtained, the group has the following laboratories and equipment:

 

• Laboratory for the preparation, characterization and study of degradation and aging processes of polymers and composite materials.
• Material preparation equipment (Brabender mixer, Collins roller mixer and drill for JBot testers, Retsch SM100 cutting grinder).
• ATR-FTIR (Nicolet is10), TGA (Mettler 851), UV-vis spectroscopy equipment.
• Equipment for the characterization of mechanical properties Isntron 3366, Charpy JBot.
• Krüss DSA 100B Contact Angle Analyzer

The characterization of mechanical behavior is centered on: tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, creep deformation, fracture deformation, resilience and tenacity.