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Synthesis chemistry

for customised functional polymers

The research team Synthesis Chemistry for Customised Functional Polymer Design (Macromolecular Engineering) focuses on additive and polymer syntheses for the chemical or physicochemical modification of preferably thermoplastically processable polymers. The material spectrum includes industrial standard polymers, biomaterials and special polymers up to high-performance or high-tech polymers with high melting or processing temperatures.

A significant research complex involves the development of customised solutions for the bioactive surface functionalisation of a wide variety of plastic materials. For this purpose, an existing basic technology can be optimised for different product requirements.

This work currently includes:

Synthesis, modification, characterisation and research into the effectiveness of functionalising polymer additives that accumulate spontaneously at surfaces and interfaces during polymer processing procedures through migration and segregation. These give the polymer materials modified with them specific:

  • polar / hydrophilic properties
  • hydrophobic properties
  • antibacterial properties
  • flame-retardant properties
  • UV light protection properties
  • barrier properties
  • Marking properties

In this way, functional polymer systems with structure and property gradients are created - so-called gradient materials.

Further individual focal points are:

  • thermotropic "reactive LCPs" and compatibilising reactive polymer additives as molecular compatibilisers for homogenised polymer blends through "reactive polymer blending
  • Bifunctional reactive couplers ("chain extenders") and reactive "modifiers" for polymer modification by means of reactive compounding
  • trivalent polymer additives for the covalent implementation of additional functions
  • Polymer and additive syntheses using biobased raw materials
  • Modification and deformation of biobased polymer materials into fibres
  • Supramolecular, reactive complexing agents for permanent polymer modification
  • Synthesis of special and functional polymers as well as polymer additives in small batches, including custom syntheses and production of mono- and multi-filaments, fibres and films from functional and special polymers or "high-tech" polymers with high melting or processing temperatures
  • Bicomponent - high temperature - melt spinning technology with spinning speeds of up to 6,000 m/min (LOY, POY, HOY, FOY)
  • Development of special fibres with switchable carrier systems for medical agents

Fields of activity

Technical equipment

  • Multifunctional synthesis plant for "scale-up" chemical synthesis routes on a Kg scale
  • Syntheses up to 100l reactor
  • Reaction analysis by online IR spectroscopy (IR probe)
  • Calorimetry of chemical reactions
  • Polymer processing with low material input
  • Mini melt spinning apparatus (m ≤ 8 g; δ ≤ 360 °C)
  • Midi melt spinning apparatus (Q1: 10 - 115 g/h; Q2: 80 - 980 g/h; δ ≤ 430 °C)
  • High-temperature melt spinning tester (Q ≤ 3 kg/h; δ ≤ 450 °C; v ≤ 4,000 m/min)
  • Bi-component high-temperature melt spinning apparatus (Q ≤ 5 kg/h; δ ≤ 450 °C; v ≤ 6,000 m/min)
  • 60 MHz benchtop NMR spectrometer for the acquisition of 1H, 13C, 19F as well as 2D spectra