Phone: 0114 2253062
Email: f.clegg@shu.ac.uk
BSc, PhD, MRSC
Francis Clegg graduated from Sheffield Hallam University with a degree in Applied Chemistry and continued at the same establishment within MERI to complete a PhD involving the physicochemical properties of organo-mineral interactions.
After one year at the University of Newcastle, Francis returned to MERI to further his research in organo-mineral interactions with particular emphasis on clay-polymer nanocomposites, which has been achieved via internal, industrial, UK and European funded projects.
Research interests
As a Research Fellow, Francis's current research interests are fulfilled within several clay-polymer nanocomposite projects including…
i) Sustainable and flexible high barrier packaging based on clay-polymer composites (FLEXPAKRENEW),
ii) Fire-resistant nano-filled thermosetting polyester resins (POLYFIRE),
iii) Clay-based shape memory polymers,
iv) Competitive adsorption of plasticizers and polymers onto clay.
These are achieved using an extensive number of analytical techniques (especially thermo-analytical), in order to fully understand the systems and further develop the research and novel products.
Recent publications
All of Francis's papers can be accessed at SHURA.
- Sokmen M, Tatlidil I, Breen C, Clegg F, Buruk CK, Sivlim T, Akkan S. A new nano-TiO2 immobilized biodegradable polymer with self-healing properties. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 187 (2011) 199-205.
- Breen, C, Clegg F, Herron, MM, Hild, GP, Hillier, S, Hughes, TL, Jones, TGJ, Matteson, A, Yarwood, J. Bulk mineralogical characterisation of oilfield reservoir rocks and sandstones using diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy and partial least squares analysis. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 60 (2008) 1-17.
- Belver, C, Breen, C, Clegg, F, Fernandes, CE, Vicente, MA, A variable-temperature diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy study of the binding of water and pyridine to the surface of acid activated metakaolin. Langmuir 21 (2005) 2129-2136.
Conference Presentations…
- 2010 - Trilateral Meeting on Clays (Seville, Spain) - Clegg F, Breen C, Organomodification of clays using different solvents.
- 2009 - 14th International Clay Conference (Castellaneta Marina, Italy) - Clegg F, Breen C. Mixed Modifier Organoclays - Controlling clay dispersion in nanocomposites.
- 2008 - Annual Clay Mineral Society Meeting (New Orleans, USA) - Bannister, S, Breen C, Clegg, F. Influence of clay host on the thermal stability of model organoclays and their commercial counterparts.
- 2007 – 11th Euroclay Conference (Averio, Portugal) - Breen C, Clegg, F, Plackett, D. Mixed modifier organoclays: Preparation, characterisation and dispersion into polycaprolactone.