WorkPlan
1
Year |
Phase |
Objectives |
Activities |
Outcomes on stage |
2013 |
Single |
1. Design conceptual models for composite inorganic particle - polymer coatings with nano- micro-patterned surface |
1.1. Analysis and evaluation of the preparation methods for obtaining iron oxide nanoparticles with hydrophobic surface. Formulation design. |
First stage research report |
1.2. Analysis and evaluation of the preparation methods for the polymeric matrix. Formulation design. |
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1.3. Analysis and evaluation of the preparation methods for composite coatings. Formulation design. |
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2. Project management |
2.1. Equipment (water purification apparatus, UV polymerization lamp, multifunction printer) and consumables acquisition |
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2.2. Intermediate research report for first phase |
2
Year |
Phase |
Objectives |
Activities |
Outcomes on stage |
2014 |
Single |
1. Studies regarding iron oxide particle preparation, evaluation/properties optimization |
1.1. Iron oxide nano-particle synthesis |
Second stage research report |
1.2. Nano-particle characterization regarding size distribution, magnetic properties and colloidal stability in hydrophobic solvents |
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1.3. Experimental evaluation of the synthesis parameters. Optimum formulation selection. |
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2. Studies regarding polymeric matrix preparation, evaluation/properties optimization |
2.1. Polymeric matrix synthesis by solution polymerization | |||
2.2. Selection of co-monomers and initiator |
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2.3. Polymeric matrix characterization regarding chemical composition (FTIR, NMR) and molecular weight distribution (GPC) |
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2.4. Experimental evaluation of the synthesis parameters. Selection of the optimum formulation. |
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3. Project management. |
3.1. Materials and services acquisition | |||
3.2. Results dissemination by publishing articles in prestigious journals and by communications at scientific meetings. |
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3.3. Intermediate research report for second phase |
3
Year |
Phase |
Objectives |
Activities |
Outcomes on stage |
2015 |
Single |
1. Studies regarding composite coating preparation |
1.1. Selection of solvent and crosslinker |
Third stage research report |
1.2. Optimize synthesis parameters: nanoparticle to matrix ratio, solvent and crosslinker concentration, curing time and temperature. |
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1.3. Preliminary study regarding nanoparticle colloidal aggregation during curing; coating characterization regarding surface morphology (optical, SEM and TEM microscopy) and water drop contact angle. |
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1.4. Re-optimize coating formulation targeting the most uniform surface patterning resulting in the highest contact angle. |
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2. Casting method optimization. |
2.1. Select casting and surface pre-treatment method depending on the surface nature (glass, polypropylene, metal sheet). | |||
2.2. Experimental evaluation of the casting method parameters on various substrates. |
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3. Laboratory scale preparation of the composite coating using the optimum formulation and the best casting method. |
3.1. Obtaining a test batch of composite coating using the optimum formulation. |
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4. Project management. |
4.1. Equipment (pilot synthesis equipment, optical microscope), supplies and services acquisition. |
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4.2. Results dissemination by publishing articles in prestigious journals and by communications at scientific meetings. |
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4.3. Intermediate research report for third phase. |
4
Year |
Phase |
Objectives |
Activities |
Outcomes on stage |
2016 |
Single |
1. Composite coating optimization and characterization |
1.1. Synthesis reproducibility study |
Final research report |
1.2. Coating characterization regarding morphology, adherence to substrate, contact angle with water drops. |
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2. Testing composite ice-repelling performance on various substrates. |
2.1. Testing of samples coated with composite materials in contact with super-cooled water in order to determine the probability of ice formation. Comparison with uncoated samples. |
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3. Project management. |
3.1. Equipment (pilot synthesis equipment, optical microscope), supplies and services acquisition. |
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3.2. Results dissemination by publishing articles in prestigious journals and by communications at scientific meetings |
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3.3. Training activity through research internship or workshop participation. |
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3.4. Final phase research report. |