The characterisation of polymers requires the use of several analytical techniques to gather the required information about a polymer's structure or chemistry. Within the Polymers, Composites and Spectroscopy Group we put an emphasis on the use of vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR and Raman), thermal analysis (DSC, DMA and TGA), and x-ray diffraction (XRD) to provide information about the polymer systems we study.

We are particularly interested in

• competitive movement of species through polymers and nanocomposites
• polymers and nanocomposites for barrier packaging
• stimuli responsive materials for biomedical applications
• enhancing the fire retardant properties of polymers and nanocomposites
• thermal, catalytic and bio-degradation of polymers and composites
• sustained release of active and antimicrobial species
• gelation mechanisms of polymers
• stretched polymer films and fibres