Title: Controlling Particle Gel Formation through Design:
From Biomaterials to Hybrid Solar Cells
Speaker: Dr. Brian R. Saunders
School of Materials, The University of Manchester, UK
Venue: SA Block 6 th floor (West Wing)
Date: 13 th April 2010
Time: 2 pm
Abstract
In recent years the ability to control colloidal interactions in order to achieve a desired material property outcome in the form of a phase change has become increasingly important. Polymers continue to be central to many of the most important emerging biomaterials and solar energy technologies involving colloids. Incorporation of environmentally responsive polymers is becoming a tool of choice for designing advanced biomaterials. In this seminar the ability to control colloidal interactions in order to produce new types of particle gels is discussed. pHresponsive microgels form macroscopic gels through repulsive interactions, and these have potential application for soft tissue repair. A new family of cationic thermoresponsive copolymers is shown to form gels through attractive interactions and these have potential application as gelators and cell delivery systems. The seminar also includes discussion of hybrid solar cells. In that case an extended nanoparticle network (a gel phase) within a conjugated polymer matrix is required for high efficiency. However, the optimum morphology has not yet been achieved.
Results are presented for representative hybrid systems which show that adverse colloidal interactions oppose particle network formation. Strategies for promoting improved morphologies for hybrid solar cells will be briefly discussed.