Effects on the nanostrucure of additive materials in complex solutions

In the development of both industrial and consumer solution-based products, maintaining or improving the physical attributes of the products while achieving a target cost can be achieved through the use of specific additives.... [ view full abstract ]

In the development of both industrial and consumer solution-based products, maintaining or improving the physical attributes of the products while achieving a target cost can be achieved through the use of specific additives. Our research focuses on the effects and interactions of the additive materials with the target mixture in terms of the nanostructure (SAXS and AFM), crystal structure (XRD) and thermal analysis (DSC and TGA). This work forms part of a larger multi-faceted project working with a number of academic and industrial partners to select and modify naturally-sourced materials for large-scale rheological applications. We have observed that the packing structure and surface features of fibrous and crystalline materials have a unique effect on the total complex system, where chemical and physical modification of the additives does not necessarily show a clear relationship with the final rheology. Further investigation by small angle scattering and modelling of the system may provide key details on the variable characteristics of the additives and how we direct our future modifications.