The Centre for advanced interdisciplinary research in materials at the Faculty of Physical Sciences and Mathematics of Univertiy of Chile.
CIMAT activities provide a foundation of R & D on materials for a sustainable national development. The parameters that frame the Center’s activities include maintaining and expanding the markets of Copper and Molybdenum, the behavior of materials in the mining process, the development of new materials for the packaging industry exports and resolution of energy issues, environment and health.
Raul Quijada and Alejandro Toro directed the research department Catalytic and Polymeric Materials. This research field is focused on the development of materials with catalytic properties and their application in processes involving polymers production, environmental decontamination and production of renewable energy. Two of its research are:
- Synthesis and Application of nanostructured inorganic materials.
Materials with porous nanostructures have special properties for their use as heterogeneous catalysts and in separation processes. Using sol-gel, self-assembly and hydrothermal synthesis techniques, materials such as zirconium oxide, ordered mesoporous silicas, zeolites, and laminar materials are prepared, among others. - Preparation of new polymeric materials and nanocomposites.
The incorporation of inorganic particles with nanometric dimensions into polymeric matrix allows generating compound polymeric materials (nanocomposites) with improved properties or different ones from those of the starting polymer. Laminar clays are organically modified and combined with the polymer in molten state or through in-situ polymerization. For the purpose of improving the chemical affinity between the inorganic material and the polymer, compatibilizers have been developed based on the grafting of itaconic acid in the polymeric chain. This procedure allows the preparation of polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites with clay particles more exfoliated and improved mechanical properties.
Their other main research lines are Study and Development of catalysts for polymerization, Development and evaluation of polymeric, inorganic and composite separation membranes, Production and Purification of Fuel, Applications in atmospheric decontamination and Theoretical Researches.
More information:
Raúl Quijada y Alejandro Toro- Labbé
Centre for advanced interdisciplinary research in materials
Faculty of Physical Sciences and Mathematics
University of Chile http://www.uchile.cl/
Fonte: Nanobugle
