Polymers
POLYMER CHEMISTRY
Polymer synthesis
We are interested in the development of functional polymers and understanding of structure-property relationships to tailor material properties. High-performance polymers, vinyls, biobolymers are all within our scope of research. We develop polyelectrolytes, pH and temperature-sensitive polymers, phase-separating polymers, anti-bacterial polymers, metal-binding polymers, etc.
We utilize traditional polymerization techniques as well as controlled polymerization methods ATRP and RAFT.
We are interested in the efficiency of RAFT and ATRP techniques on the homo and copolymerization of capto-dative monomers.
We also prepare nanoparticles with ATRP initiator moieties on the surface for surface-initiated polymerizations, especially for bio-applications.
We also work on nano-based photoinitiator systems.
Composites
Polymer-Nanoparticle composites are exciting materials due to the unique properties of each in their length scale. Polymers can be great coating materials for nanoparticles not only for protection or compatibility purposes but also for inducing sensitivity such as pH and temperature.
Nanoparticles can be utilized as initiators in radical polymerization reactions.
Besides, functional materials can be prepared by blending the two materials.
Our group works on all of these subjects.
AFM image of SPION/PS/PEG (Image taken by Prof. Levent Demirel)
Publications:
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Dadashi-Silab, S., yar, Y., Yagci Acar, H., Yagci, Y, “ Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles As Long wavelength Photoinitiators for Free radical Polymerization”, Polym. Chem, 2015, 6, 1918-1922.