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Dr Richard Thompson's Outputs (56)

Revealing microscale bulk structures in polymer–carbon nanocomposites using spin-echo SANS (2024)
Journal Article
Tiihonen, L. V., Weir, M. P., Parnell, A. J., Boothroyd, S. C., Johnson, D. W., Dalgliesh, R. M., Bleuel, M., Duif, C. P., Bouwman, W. G., Thompson, R. L., Coleman, K. S., Clarke, N., Hamilton, W. A., Washington, A. L., & Parnell, S. R. (online). Revealing microscale bulk structures in polymer–carbon nanocomposites using spin-echo SANS. Soft Matter, https://doi.org/10.1039/d4sm00578c

We have used spin-echo small-angle neutron scattering (SESANS) to probe the hierarchy of structures present in polymer–carbon nanocomposites, with length scales spanning over three orders of magnitude, from 10 nm to 16 μm. The data processing and red... Read More about Revealing microscale bulk structures in polymer–carbon nanocomposites using spin-echo SANS.

Nanostructured Channel for Improving Emission Efficiency of Hybrid Light-Emitting Field-Effect Transistors (2023)
Journal Article
Galán-González, A., Pander, P., MacKenzie, R. C. I., Bowen, L., Zeze, D. A., Borthwick, R. J., …Chaudhry, M. U. (2023). Nanostructured Channel for Improving Emission Efficiency of Hybrid Light-Emitting Field-Effect Transistors. ACS Photonics, 10(12), 4315-4321. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsphotonics.3c01080

We report on the mechanism of enhancing the luminance and external quantum efficiency (EQE) by developing nanostructured channels in hybrid (organic/inorganic) light-emitting transistors (HLETs) that combine a solution-processed oxide and a polymer h... Read More about Nanostructured Channel for Improving Emission Efficiency of Hybrid Light-Emitting Field-Effect Transistors.

The influence of ambient cure chemistry and stoichiometry on epoxy coating surfaces (2022)
Journal Article
Bannister, C., Guy, A., Mihaylova, R., Orgill, J., Burg, S. L., Parnell, A., & Thompson, R. L. (2022). The influence of ambient cure chemistry and stoichiometry on epoxy coating surfaces. RSC Advances, 12(44), 28746-28754. https://doi.org/10.1039/d2ra05067f

The surface properties of epoxy resin coatings influence their function as substrates for subsequent coats. Variation in ambient cure conditions (temperature and relative humidity, RH), stoichiometry (ratio of epoxy: amine) and delay time between epo... Read More about The influence of ambient cure chemistry and stoichiometry on epoxy coating surfaces.

Modulated Fluorescence in LB Films Based on DADQs—A Potential Sensing Surface? (2022)
Journal Article
Szablewski, M., Thompson, R. L., & Pålsson, L. (2022). Modulated Fluorescence in LB Films Based on DADQs—A Potential Sensing Surface?. Molecules, 27(12), Article 3893. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27123893

Novel fluorescent Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films have been constructed from three different amphiphilic dicynaoquinodimethanes (DADQs). The DADQs varied in functional group structure, which had an impact on the LB film structure and the fluorescence pr... Read More about Modulated Fluorescence in LB Films Based on DADQs—A Potential Sensing Surface?.

Tuning the Bulk and Surface Properties of PDMS Networks through Cross-Linker and Surfactant Concentration (2021)
Journal Article
Litwinowicz, M., Rogers, S., Caruana, A., Kinane, C., Tellam, J., & Thompson, R. (2021). Tuning the Bulk and Surface Properties of PDMS Networks through Cross-Linker and Surfactant Concentration. Macromolecules, 54(20), https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.1c01600

The elastic modulus and hydrophilicity of cross-linked poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) are tunable via cross-linker concentration and the addition of a simple surfactant, C12E4, before curing. However, the surfactant concentration, [C12E4], reduces the... Read More about Tuning the Bulk and Surface Properties of PDMS Networks through Cross-Linker and Surfactant Concentration.

Water-Resistant Surface Modification of Hydrophobic Polymers with Water-Soluble Surfactant Additives (2021)
Journal Article
Gibson, C. P., Litwinowicz, M. A., Tellam, J. P., Welbourn, R. J., Skoda, M. W., Claussen, J., & Thompson, R. L. (2021). Water-Resistant Surface Modification of Hydrophobic Polymers with Water-Soluble Surfactant Additives. Polymers, 13(19), Article 3407. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13193407

Water-soluble nonionic surfactant, pentaethylene glycol monododecyl ether, C12E5 , spontaneously blooms to the surface of spin-cast hydrophobic polyisoprenes, generating hydrophilic surfaces. This system provides a simple model for hydrophilic chemic... Read More about Water-Resistant Surface Modification of Hydrophobic Polymers with Water-Soluble Surfactant Additives.

Synthesis and characterisation of a mussel-inspired hydrogel film coating for biosensors (2021)
Journal Article
Millican, J. M., Bittrich, E., Caspari, A., Pöschel, K., Drechsler, A., Freudenberg, U., …Hutchings, L. R. (2021). Synthesis and characterisation of a mussel-inspired hydrogel film coating for biosensors. European Polymer Journal, 153, Article 110503. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2021.110503

Mussel-inspired, catechol-containing monomers are being increasingly utilised to design versatile, adhesive, functional copolymers. This work reports the synthesis and detailed characterisation of a novel terpolymer comprising dopamine methacrylamide... Read More about Synthesis and characterisation of a mussel-inspired hydrogel film coating for biosensors.

Chain-stretch relaxation from low-frequency Fourier transform rheology (2020)
Journal Article
Reynolds, C., Hoyle, D., McLeish, T., & Thompson, R. (2020). Chain-stretch relaxation from low-frequency Fourier transform rheology. Physical Review Research, 2(3), Article 033457. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevresearch.2.033457

Medium- or large-amplitude oscillatory shear (MAOS and LAOS, respectively) is sensitive to polymer chain structure, yet poses unsolved challenges for a priori structural characterization. We present a MAOS protocol applied to near-monodisperse linear... Read More about Chain-stretch relaxation from low-frequency Fourier transform rheology.

Shear processing maps: a new design guide for melt processors (2020)
Journal Article
Robertson, B., Robinson, I. M., Stocks, D., & Thompson, R. L. (2022). Shear processing maps: a new design guide for melt processors. Plastics, Rubber and Composites, 51(5), 217-239. https://doi.org/10.1080/14658011.2020.1796082

A method for predicting the optimal conditions for polymer extrusion, which relies only on gramscale laboratory experiments for two commercial polystyrene samples with two molecular weights is demonstrated by oscillatory rheology. These enable a shea... Read More about Shear processing maps: a new design guide for melt processors.

Oligomer/polymer blend phase diagram and surface concentration profiles for squalane/polybutadiene: experimental measurements and predictions from SAFT-g Mie and molecular dynamics simulations (2020)
Journal Article
Tasche, J., Sabattie, E. F., Thompson, R. L., Campana, M., & Wilson, M. R. (2020). Oligomer/polymer blend phase diagram and surface concentration profiles for squalane/polybutadiene: experimental measurements and predictions from SAFT-g Mie and molecular dynamics simulations. Macromolecules, 53(7), 2309-2309. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.9b02155

The compatibility and surface behavior of squalane–polybutadiene mixtures are studied by experimental cloud point and neutron reflectivity measurements, statistical associating fluid theory (SAFT), and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. A SAFT-γ Mi... Read More about Oligomer/polymer blend phase diagram and surface concentration profiles for squalane/polybutadiene: experimental measurements and predictions from SAFT-g Mie and molecular dynamics simulations.

Segregation of Amine Oxide Surfactants in PVA Films (2020)
Journal Article
Fong, R., Squillace, O., Reynolds, C., Cooper, J., Dalgliesh, R. M., Tellam, J., …Thompson, R. L. (2020). Segregation of Amine Oxide Surfactants in PVA Films. Langmuir, 36(17), 4795-4807. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c00084

The vertical depth distributions of amine oxide surfactants, N,N-dimethyldodecyl amine N-oxide (DDAO) and N,N-dimethyltetradecyl amine N-oxide (DTAO), in poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) films were explored using neutron reflectometry (NR). In both binary a... Read More about Segregation of Amine Oxide Surfactants in PVA Films.

Influence of PVAc/PVA Hydrolysis on Additive Surface Activity (2020)
Journal Article
Squillace, O., Fong, R., Shepherd, O., Hind, J., Tellam, J., Steinke, N., & Thompson, R. L. (2020). Influence of PVAc/PVA Hydrolysis on Additive Surface Activity. Polymers, 12(1), Article 205. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12010205

This aims to establish design rules for the influence of complex polymer matrices on the surface properties of small molecules. Here, we consider the dependence of the surface behaviour of some model additives on polymer matrix hydrophobicity. With s... Read More about Influence of PVAc/PVA Hydrolysis on Additive Surface Activity.

Association and Relaxation of Supra-Macromolecular Polymers (2019)
Journal Article
Boothroyd, S., Hoyle, D., McLeish, T., Munch, E., Schach, R., Smith, A., & Thompson, R. (2019). Association and Relaxation of Supra-Macromolecular Polymers. Soft Matter, 15(26), 5296-5307. https://doi.org/10.1039/c8sm02580k

This paper describes the structures created by assembling functionalised entangled polymers and the effect these have on the rheology of the material. A polybutadiene (PBd) linear polymer precursor of sufficient molecular weight to be entangled is us... Read More about Association and Relaxation of Supra-Macromolecular Polymers.

Braiding, branching and chiral amplification of nanofibres in supramolecular gels (2019)
Journal Article
Jones, C. D., Simmons, H. T., Horner, K. E., Liu, K., Thompson, R. L., & Steed, J. W. (2019). Braiding, branching and chiral amplification of nanofibres in supramolecular gels. Nature Chemistry, 11, 375-381. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-019-0222-0

Helical nanofibres play key roles in many biological processes. Entanglements between helices can aid gelation by producing thick, interconnected fibres, but the details of this process are poorly understood. Here, we describe the assembly of an achi... Read More about Braiding, branching and chiral amplification of nanofibres in supramolecular gels.

Polymer extrudate-swell: From monodisperse melts to polydispersity and flow-induced reduction in monomer friction (2019)
Journal Article
Robertson, B., Thompson, R. L., McLeish, T. C., & Robinson, I. (2019). Polymer extrudate-swell: From monodisperse melts to polydispersity and flow-induced reduction in monomer friction. Journal of Rheology, 63(2), 319-333. https://doi.org/10.1122/1.5058207

This paper describes finite-element simulations and associated experimental studies of extrudate swell for near-monodisperse and polydisperse polystyrenes. The tube-model based Rolie-Poly constitutive model, when extended to include a reduction of mo... Read More about Polymer extrudate-swell: From monodisperse melts to polydispersity and flow-induced reduction in monomer friction.

The impact of plasticizer and degree of hydrolysis on free volume of poly (vinyl alcohol) films (2018)
Journal Article
Fong, R. J., Robertson, A., Mallon, P. E., & Thompson, R. L. (2018). The impact of plasticizer and degree of hydrolysis on free volume of poly (vinyl alcohol) films. Polymers, 10(9), Article 1036. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym10091036

The effect of plasticizer species and the degree of hydrolysis (DH) on the free volume properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) were studied using positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. Both glycerol and propylene glycol caused an increase in th... Read More about The impact of plasticizer and degree of hydrolysis on free volume of poly (vinyl alcohol) films.

Pressure and shear rate dependence of the viscosity and stress relaxation of polymer melts (2018)
Journal Article
Reynolds, C., Thompson, R., & McLeish, T. (2018). Pressure and shear rate dependence of the viscosity and stress relaxation of polymer melts. Journal of Rheology, 62(2), 631-642. https://doi.org/10.1122/1.5012969

The pressure dependencies of polymer viscosity and stress relaxation are an important but often overlooked aspect of the material processing and postprocessing properties. We show how these dependencies can be isolated in a single measurement and can... Read More about Pressure and shear rate dependence of the viscosity and stress relaxation of polymer melts.

Controlled Structure Evolution of Graphene Networks in Polymer Composites (2018)
Journal Article
Boothroyd, S. C., Johnson, D. W., Weir, M. P., Reynolds, C. D., Hart, J. M., Smith, A. J., …Coleman, K. S. (2018). Controlled Structure Evolution of Graphene Networks in Polymer Composites. Chemistry of Materials, 30(5), 1524-1531. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemmater.7b04343

Exploiting graphene’s exceptional physical properties in polymer composites is a significant challenge because of the difficulty in controlling the graphene conformation and dispersion. Reliable processing of graphene polymer composites with uniform... Read More about Controlled Structure Evolution of Graphene Networks in Polymer Composites.

Blooming of Smectic Surfactant/Plasticizer Layers on Spin-Cast Poly(vinyl alcohol) Films (2018)
Journal Article
Briddick, A., Fong, R. J., Sabattié, E. F., Li, P., Skoda, M. W., Courchay, F., & Thompson, R. L. (2018). Blooming of Smectic Surfactant/Plasticizer Layers on Spin-Cast Poly(vinyl alcohol) Films. Langmuir, 34(4), 1410-1418. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b04046

The blooming of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and the influence of plasticizer (glycerol) on the surfactant distribution in poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) films have been explored by neutron reflectometry (NR) and ion beam analysis techniques. When in bina... Read More about Blooming of Smectic Surfactant/Plasticizer Layers on Spin-Cast Poly(vinyl alcohol) Films.

Theoretical prediction and experimental measurement of isothermal extrudate swell of monodisperse and bidisperse polystyrenes (2017)
Journal Article
Robertson, B., Thompson, R. L., McLeish, T. C., & Robinson, I. (2017). Theoretical prediction and experimental measurement of isothermal extrudate swell of monodisperse and bidisperse polystyrenes. Journal of Rheology, 61(5), 931-945. https://doi.org/10.1122/1.4995603

This paper describes the theoretical prediction, finite element simulation, and experimental studies of extrudate swell in monodisperse and bidisperse polystyrenes. We present a molecular approach to understanding extrudate swell using the tube-model... Read More about Theoretical prediction and experimental measurement of isothermal extrudate swell of monodisperse and bidisperse polystyrenes.

Predicting Oligomer/Polymer Compatibility and its Impact on Nanoscale Segregation in Thin Films (2017)
Journal Article
Sabattié, E., Tasche, J., Wilson, M. R., Skoda, M. W., Hughes, A. V., Lindner, T., & Thompson, R. (2017). Predicting Oligomer/Polymer Compatibility and its Impact on Nanoscale Segregation in Thin Films. Soft Matter, 13(19), 3580-3591. https://doi.org/10.1039/c7sm00048k

Compatibility between oligomers and polymers was systematically assessed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and correlated with similarity in saturation and solubility parameter. These measurements enabled validation of detailed volume of... Read More about Predicting Oligomer/Polymer Compatibility and its Impact on Nanoscale Segregation in Thin Films.

Understanding and controlling morphology evolution via DIO plasticization in PffBT4T-2OD/PC71BM devices (2017)
Journal Article
Zhang, Y., Parnell, A. J., Pontecchiani, F., Cooper, J. F., Thompson, R. L., Jones, R. A., …Bernardo, G. (2017). Understanding and controlling morphology evolution via DIO plasticization in PffBT4T-2OD/PC71BM devices. Scientific Reports, 7, Article 44269. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep44269

We demonstrate that the inclusion of a small amount of the co-solvent 1,8-diiodooctane in the preparation of a bulk-heterojunction photovoltaic device increases its power conversion efficiency by 20%, through a mechanism of transient plasticisation.... Read More about Understanding and controlling morphology evolution via DIO plasticization in PffBT4T-2OD/PC71BM devices.

Distortion of Chain Conformation and Reduced Entanglement in Polymer–Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites (2016)
Journal Article
Weir, M., Johnson, D., Boothroyd, S., Savage, R., Thompson, R., King, S., …Clarke, N. (2016). Distortion of Chain Conformation and Reduced Entanglement in Polymer–Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites. ACS Macro Letters, 5(4), 430-434. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmacrolett.6b00100

We study the conformations of polymer chains in polymer–graphene oxide nanocomposites. We show that the chains have a reduced radius of gyration that is consistent with confinement at a solid interface in the melt, as is expected for well-dispersed,... Read More about Distortion of Chain Conformation and Reduced Entanglement in Polymer–Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites.

Extrinsic Wrinkling and Single Exfoliated Sheets of Graphene Oxide in Polymer Composites (2016)
Journal Article
Weir, M. P., Johnson, D. W., Boothroyd, S. C., Savage, R. C., Thompson, R. L., Parnell, S. R., …Clarke, N. (2016). Extrinsic Wrinkling and Single Exfoliated Sheets of Graphene Oxide in Polymer Composites. Chemistry of Materials, 28(6), 1698-1704. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemmater.5b04502

We study the conformation of graphene oxide as the filler in nanocomposites of polystyrene and poly(methyl methacrylate) using inverse-space scattering techniques and atomic force microscopy. By subtracting the polymer scattering to estimate the scat... Read More about Extrinsic Wrinkling and Single Exfoliated Sheets of Graphene Oxide in Polymer Composites.

A facile route for rubber breakdown via cross metathesis reactions (2016)
Journal Article
Smith, R., Boothroyd, S., Khosravi, E., & Thompson, R. (2016). A facile route for rubber breakdown via cross metathesis reactions. Green Chemistry, 18(11), 3448-3455. https://doi.org/10.1039/c5gc03075g

A new approach towards reprocessing cross-linked rubbery materials by catalytic disassembly of polymer chains, which eliminates the need for energy intensive mechanical processes, is demonstrated. First and second generation (G1 and G2) Grubbs’ ruthe... Read More about A facile route for rubber breakdown via cross metathesis reactions.

Spontaneous Nanoparticle Dispersal in Polybutadiene by Brush-Forming End-Functional Polymers (2016)
Journal Article
Hart, J. M., Kimani, S. M., Hutchings, L. R., Grillo, I., Hughes, A. V., Clarke, N., …Thompson, R. L. (2016). Spontaneous Nanoparticle Dispersal in Polybutadiene by Brush-Forming End-Functional Polymers. Macromolecules, 49(4), 1434-1443. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.5b02318

A masterbatch additive for the enhanced dispersal of bare silica nanoparticles in polybutadiene is demonstrated using tetrahydroxyl end-functional polybutadienes (“4OH-PBd”). Neutron reflectometry and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) confirm the... Read More about Spontaneous Nanoparticle Dispersal in Polybutadiene by Brush-Forming End-Functional Polymers.

Surfactant and Plasticizer Segregation in Thin Poly(vinyl alcohol) Films (2015)
Journal Article
Briddick, A., Li, P., Hughes, A., Courchay, F., Martinez, A., & Thompson, R. (2016). Surfactant and Plasticizer Segregation in Thin Poly(vinyl alcohol) Films. Langmuir, 32(3), 864-872. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.5b03758

The vertical depth distributions of individual additive components [cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), deuterated pentaethylene glycol monododecyl ether (d25-C12E5), and deuterated glycerol (d-glycerol)] in PVA films have been isolated and explor... Read More about Surfactant and Plasticizer Segregation in Thin Poly(vinyl alcohol) Films.

Deuterated Carbohydrate Probes as ‘Label-Free’ Substrates for Probing Nutrient Uptake in Mycobacteria by Nuclear Reaction Analysis (2015)
Journal Article
Lowery, R., Gibson, M., Thompson, R., & Fullam, E. (2015). Deuterated Carbohydrate Probes as ‘Label-Free’ Substrates for Probing Nutrient Uptake in Mycobacteria by Nuclear Reaction Analysis. Chemical Communications, 51(23), 4838-4841. https://doi.org/10.1039/c4cc09588j

Understanding and probing small molecule uptake in cells is challenging, requiring sterically large chemical labels, or radioactive isotopes. Here, the uptake of deuterated sugars by Mycobacterium smegmatis, a non-pathogenic model of Mycobacterium tu... Read More about Deuterated Carbohydrate Probes as ‘Label-Free’ Substrates for Probing Nutrient Uptake in Mycobacteria by Nuclear Reaction Analysis.

Modifying Polyester Surfaces with Incompatible Polymer Additives (2015)
Journal Article
James, C. D., Jeynes, C., Barradas, N. P., Clifton, L., Dalgliesh, R. M., Smith, R. F., …Thompson, R. L. (2015). Modifying Polyester Surfaces with Incompatible Polymer Additives. Reactive and Functional Polymers, 89, 40-48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reactfunctpolym.2015.03.002

Surface modification of amorphous PET in incompatible blends is demonstrated using fluorocarbon end-functional polystyrenes. Contact angles with water and decane were consistent with high levels of surface fluorocarbon, even for spin-cast films with... Read More about Modifying Polyester Surfaces with Incompatible Polymer Additives.

Molecular weight dependent vertical composition profiles of PCDTBT:PC71BM blends for organic photovoltaics (2014)
Journal Article
Kingsley, J. W., Marchisio, P. P., Yi, H., Iraqi, A., Kinane, C. J., Langridge, S., …Parnell, A. J. (2014). Molecular weight dependent vertical composition profiles of PCDTBT:PC71BM blends for organic photovoltaics. Scientific Reports, 4, Article 5286. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep05286

We have used Soxhlet solvent purification to fractionate a broad molecular weight distribution of the polycarbazole polymer PCDTBT into three lower polydispersity molecular weight fractions. Organic photovoltaic devices were made using a blend of the... Read More about Molecular weight dependent vertical composition profiles of PCDTBT:PC71BM blends for organic photovoltaics.

Multihydroxyl End Functional Polyethylenes: Synthesis, Bulk and Interfacial Properties of Polymer Surfactants (2014)
Journal Article
Kimani, S., Thompson, R., Hutchings, L., Clarke, N., Billah, S., Sakai, V., & Rogers, S. (2014). Multihydroxyl End Functional Polyethylenes: Synthesis, Bulk and Interfacial Properties of Polymer Surfactants. Macromolecules, 47(6), 2062-2071. https://doi.org/10.1021/ma402158b

Multihydroxyl end functional polyethylenes have been prepared with controlled molecular weight, microstructure, and functionalization. These materials, designed as interfacially active blend additives for polar interfaces, are thermally stable up to... Read More about Multihydroxyl End Functional Polyethylenes: Synthesis, Bulk and Interfacial Properties of Polymer Surfactants.

Surface Modification of Polyethylene with Multi-End-Functional Polyethylene Additives (2012)
Journal Article
Hardman, S., Hutchings, L., Clarke, N., Kimani, S., Mears, L., Smith, E., …Thompson, R. (2012). Surface Modification of Polyethylene with Multi-End-Functional Polyethylene Additives. Langmuir, 28(11), 5125-5137. https://doi.org/10.1021/la205158n

We have prepared and characterized a series of multifluorocarbon end-functional polyethylene additives, which when blended with polyethylene matrices increase surface hydrophobicity and lipophobicity. Water contact angles of >112° were observed on sp... Read More about Surface Modification of Polyethylene with Multi-End-Functional Polyethylene Additives.

Quantitative evaluation of evaporation rate during spin-coating of polymer blend films: Control of film structure through defined-atmosphere solvent-casting (2010)
Journal Article
Mokarian-Tabari, P., Geoghegan, M., Howse, J., Heriot, S., Thompson, R., & Jones, R. (2010). Quantitative evaluation of evaporation rate during spin-coating of polymer blend films: Control of film structure through defined-atmosphere solvent-casting. The European Physical Journal E, 33(4), 283-289. https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2010-10670-7

Aggregation, adsorption, and surface properties of multiply end-functionalized polystyrenes (2007)
Journal Article
Ansari, I., Clarke, N., Hutchings, L., Narrainen, A., Terry, A., Thompson, R., & Webster, J. (2007). Aggregation, adsorption, and surface properties of multiply end-functionalized polystyrenes. Langmuir, 23(8), 4405-4413. https://doi.org/10.1021/la0635810

The properties of polystyrene blends containing deuteriopolystyrene, multiply end-functionalized with C8F17 fluorocarbon groups, are strikingly analogous to those of surfactants in solution. These materials, denoted FxdPSy, where x is the number of f... Read More about Aggregation, adsorption, and surface properties of multiply end-functionalized polystyrenes.

Fluorocarbon end-functionalized polymers from poly(arylether) dendritic initiators (2006)
Journal Article
Narrainen, A. P., Hutchings, L., Feast, W., Thompson, R., Ansari, I., & Clarke, N. (2006). Fluorocarbon end-functionalized polymers from poly(arylether) dendritic initiators. Macromolecular Symposia, 231(1), 103-109. https://doi.org/10.1002/masy.200590013

Fréchet-type poly(arylether) first and second generation (G1 and G2 respectively) dendrons were prepared from 1-(bromomethyl)-3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzene. The latter and the brominated versions of the two dendrons were successfully employed in th... Read More about Fluorocarbon end-functionalized polymers from poly(arylether) dendritic initiators.

Novel multi end-functionalised polymers. Additives to modify polymer properties at surfaces and interfaces (2006)
Journal Article
Pillay Narrainen, A., Hutchings, L., Ansari, I., Clarke, N., & Thompson, R. (2006). Novel multi end-functionalised polymers. Additives to modify polymer properties at surfaces and interfaces. Soft Matter, 2(2), 126-128. https://doi.org/10.1039/b516439g

Fréchet-type poly(arylether) dendrons with up to eight trifluoromethyl peripheral groups have been used as initiators in the copper mediated living radical polymerisation of d8-styrene, the surface adsorption behaviour and resulting properties of the... Read More about Novel multi end-functionalised polymers. Additives to modify polymer properties at surfaces and interfaces.

Surface-active fluorocarbon end-functionalized polylactides (2006)
Journal Article
Hutchings, L., Narrainen, A., Eggleston, S., Clarke, N., & Thompson, R. (2006). Surface-active fluorocarbon end-functionalized polylactides. Polymer, 47(24), 8116-8122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2006.09.050

The synthesis and surface properties of a 2 × C8F17 fluorocarbon di-functionalized poly(d,l-lactide), “F2PLA” are described. Small fractions 5% w/w of F2PLA, when blended with unfunctionalized poly(d,l-lactide), “PLA”, render the surface both hydroph... Read More about Surface-active fluorocarbon end-functionalized polylactides.

In situ water permeation measurement using an external He-3(2+) ion beam (2006)
Journal Article
Clough, A., Collins, S., Gauntlett, F., Hodgson, M., Jeynes, C., Rihawy, M., …Thompson, R. (2006). In situ water permeation measurement using an external He-3(2+) ion beam. Journal of Membrane Science, 285(1-2), 137-143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2006.08.014

A new approach for water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) measurement is demonstrated that uses an external ion beam. ‘Sandwich’ specimens were prepared comprising two films of the barrier material (PET) surrounding a thin film of hydrophilic poly(eth... Read More about In situ water permeation measurement using an external He-3(2+) ion beam.

Interfacial structure in conjugated polymers: Characterization and control of the interface between poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) and poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-alt-benzothiadiazole) (2006)
Journal Article
Higgins, A., Martin, S., Geoghegan, M., Heriot, S., Thompson, R., Cubitt, R., …Jones, R. (2006). Interfacial structure in conjugated polymers: Characterization and control of the interface between poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) and poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-alt-benzothiadiazole). Macromolecules, 39(19), 6699-6707. https://doi.org/10.1021/ma060072w

Specular neutron reflectivity and nuclear reaction analysis (NRA) are used to measure the interfacial width between poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) (F8) and poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-alt-benzothiadiazole) (F8BT) in a 500 nm bilayer. Annealing at temperature... Read More about Interfacial structure in conjugated polymers: Characterization and control of the interface between poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) and poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-alt-benzothiadiazole).

Surface adsorption of polar end-functionalised polystyrenes (2006)
Journal Article
Narrainen, A., Clarke, N., Eggleston, S., Hutchings, L., & Thompson, R. (2006). Surface adsorption of polar end-functionalised polystyrenes. Soft Matter, 2(11), 981-985. https://doi.org/10.1039/b608688h

Due to their inherently high surface energy, polar end-functionalised polymers do not normally adsorb to the external surfaces of blends. However, adsorption of polar functionalities can be induced rapidly by annealing in a polar environment such as... Read More about Surface adsorption of polar end-functionalised polystyrenes.

Self-diffusion and viscoelastic measurements of polystyrene star polymers. (2005)
Journal Article
Clarke, N., Colley, F., Collins, S., Hutchings, L., & Thompson, R. (2005). Self-diffusion and viscoelastic measurements of polystyrene star polymers. Macromolecules, 39(3), 1290-1296. https://doi.org/10.1021/ma051973s

A series of hydrogenous and deuterated four-arm polystyrene stars with low polydispersity have been synthesized by anionic polymerization. Self-diffusion data have been obtained using helium-3 nuclear reaction analysis, and rheology has been employed... Read More about Self-diffusion and viscoelastic measurements of polystyrene star polymers..

Solvent accelerated polymer diffusion in thin films (2005)
Journal Article
Thompson, R., McDonald, M., Lenthall, J., & Hutchings, L. (2005). Solvent accelerated polymer diffusion in thin films. Macromolecules, 38(10), 4339-4344. https://doi.org/10.1021/ma050317p

We have investigated the absorption of cyclohexane vapor into polystyrene films and the resulting polymer interdiffusion that is enabled by this process. The swelling of films due to solvent absorption was relatively insensitive to the film thickness... Read More about Solvent accelerated polymer diffusion in thin films.

Surface segregation and self-stratification in blends of spin-cast polyfluorene derivatives (2005)
Journal Article
Higgins, A., Martin, S., Thompson, R., Chappell, J., Voigt, M., Lidzey, D., …Geoghegan, M. (2005). Surface segregation and self-stratification in blends of spin-cast polyfluorene derivatives. Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter, 17(8), 1319-1328

We have used helium-3 nuclear reaction analysis to study the morphology of spin-cast blends of poly(9,9'-dioctylfluorene) (178) and poly(9,9'-dioctylfluorene-alt-benzothiadiazole) as a function of composition, casting solvent, and initial solvent con... Read More about Surface segregation and self-stratification in blends of spin-cast polyfluorene derivatives.

Solvent vapor mediated polymer adsorption in thin films (2004)
Journal Article
Kiff, F., Richards, R., & Thompson, R. (2004). Solvent vapor mediated polymer adsorption in thin films. Langmuir, 20(11), 4465-4470. https://doi.org/10.1021/la035825b

The effectiveness of a "solvent annealing" process was investigated for thin (similar to150 nm) polystyrene films, in which the diffusion and reorganization of polymer chains were mediated by the controlled absorption of cyclohexane vapor. Results we... Read More about Solvent vapor mediated polymer adsorption in thin films.

Correlating structure with fluorescence emission in phase-separated conjugated-polymer blends (2003)
Journal Article
Chappell, J., Lidzey, D., Jukes, P., Higgins, A., Thompson, R., O'Connor, S., …Jones, R. (2003). Correlating structure with fluorescence emission in phase-separated conjugated-polymer blends. Nature Materials, 2(9), 616-621

Blends of conjugated polymers are frequently used as the active semiconducting layer in light-emitting diodes and photovoltaic devices. Here we report the use of scanning near-field optical microscopy, scanning force microscopy and nuclear-reaction a... Read More about Correlating structure with fluorescence emission in phase-separated conjugated-polymer blends.

Film thickness effects on the distribution of high-molecular-weight heterotelechelic polymers (2002)
Journal Article
Hutchings, L., Richards, R., Thompson, R., & Bucknall, D. (2002). Film thickness effects on the distribution of high-molecular-weight heterotelechelic polymers. The European Physical Journal E, 8(2), 121-128

High-molecular-weight heterotelechelic deuteriopolystyrene, NDPSF, possessing an amine functional group at one end of the chain and a fluorocarbon group at the other was tethered to a silicon substrate by its amine functional group. These layers were... Read More about Film thickness effects on the distribution of high-molecular-weight heterotelechelic polymers.

Interface development in polycarbonate/poly(methyl methacrylate) bilayer films (2001)
Journal Article
Hutchings, L., Richards, R., Thompson, R., Clough, A., & Langridge, S. (2001). Interface development in polycarbonate/poly(methyl methacrylate) bilayer films. Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics, 39(20), 2351-2362

We report the effect of annealing over a range of temperatures and times on the mixing, stability, and interfacial width in thin bilayer films of bisphenol A-polycarbonate (PC) on deuterated poly(methyl methacrylate) (dPMMA). These bilayer films were... Read More about Interface development in polycarbonate/poly(methyl methacrylate) bilayer films.

Small-angle neutron scattering from single arm labeled polybutadiene star polymers in dilute solution (2001)
Journal Article
Hutchings, L., Richards, R., Reynolds, S., & Thompson, R. (2001). Small-angle neutron scattering from single arm labeled polybutadiene star polymers in dilute solution. Macromolecules, 34(16), 5571-5578

Dilute cyclohexane solutions of polybutadiene star polymers with 3, 4, 8, and 12 arms wherein one arm is perdeuterated have been investigated by small-angle neutron scattering. The scattering cross sections obtained showed a characteristic peak at fi... Read More about Small-angle neutron scattering from single arm labeled polybutadiene star polymers in dilute solution.

Partitioning of a heterotelechelic polystyrene to separate interfaces of thin films (2001)
Journal Article
Hutchings, L., Richards, R., Thompson, R., Bucknall, D., & Clough, A. (2001). Partitioning of a heterotelechelic polystyrene to separate interfaces of thin films. The European Physical Journal E, 5(4), 451-464

Heteratelechelic deuteropolystyrenes have been synthesised with a tertiary amine functionality at one end and a fluorocarbon group at the other end of the polymer chain. A layer of this polymer. circa 120 Angstrom thick, has been attached to the surf... Read More about Partitioning of a heterotelechelic polystyrene to separate interfaces of thin films.