Research fields

Polymer science, solid-state morphology of complex polymers, polymer nanocomposites and polymer nanofibers

Research highlights

• Porous carbon nanofibers by electrospinning novel amphiphilic copolymers
• Reversible, physically crosslinked thermoresponsive nanofiber hydrogels and films
• Carbon nanocomposite nanofibers

Research summary

Research in the Mallon group can be broadly characterised as investigations of the structure property-relationship in complex polymer materials including semi-crystalline polymers, multiphase copolymers, nano-structured polymers and nano-filled polymer composites. We are interested in the synthesis and development of these materials as well as in the application of advanced analytical approaches and techniques to characterise these materials. A recent focus has been on the synthesis of new amphiphilic copolymers that when processed into the nanofiber form, produce novel materials with designed, interesting and exploitable properties.

Applications of research

• Water treatment and the abatement of organic pollutants
• Drug carrier systems
• SMART polymer systems and sensing