Photo-Stabilization of Polymers Using Graphene

The main challenge in using polymers in outdoor application is to extend their life time and make them stable against sunlight. Recently, graphene has been suggested as a new type of polymer photo-stabilizer to replace toxic and harmful photo-stablizers commonly used. The main challenge is to understand protective mechanisms of its action. Is it a UV absorber? Is it a free radical scavenger? Or does it act as a physical barrier to oxygen ?
In this project, we are going to investigate the role of graphene as a physical barrier and understand the effect of its morphology on its performance as a photo-stabilizer. this project is under supervision of Prof.Guilhermino Fechine, from Graphene and Nanomaterials Research Center (MackGraphe), Mackenzie Presbyterian University, in São Paulo, Brazil, who has remarkable expertise on the field of polymer photo-degradation and Polymer/graphene nanocomposites. this project might open a new field of commercialization for graphene.

Faculty Supervisor:

Nicole Demarquette

Student:

Partner:

Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Nanotechnology; Environmental Science and Technology; Other; Quantum Science

University:

École de technologie supérieure

Program: