PHD SCHOLARSHIP AT UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA 2011

PhD Scholarship in Synthesis and Characterization of Responsive Nanoparticles for Foaming
The Ian Wark Research Institute (The Wark™) – University of South Australia (UniSA)
Supervisors: Professor Dayang Wang, Associate Professor David Beattie, and Dr. Catherine Whitby



Description:
Pharmaceutical formulations, lightweight materials, and processes such as biocatalysis and mineral flotation depend on the interactions between air bubbles and particles in water. This project will provide an in-depth insight into how the physics and chemistry of nanoparticle (NP) surfaces control bubble-particle interactions, and thus the materials and processes mentioned above. Nanoparticles (NPs) readily adsorb at the surfaces of oil droplets in water. In contrast, air bubbles do not efficiently adsorb NPs from water. This project will test the hypothesis that molecular-scale differences between oil drop and bubble surfaces generate a pronounced energy barrier to NP adsorption at bubble surfaces. The key innovation of the project will be to synthesize NPs with stimulus-responsive polymer coatings to alter the bubble-particle interactions to either encourage or discourage NP adsorption at the bubble surface. The stimulus responsive layers will control the NP contact angle, NP-NP interactions, and interfacial assembly on bubble surfaces. The project outcomes will lead to new technologies in mineral extraction, pharmaceutics and nanotechnology processes that rely on NP assembly on bubble and droplet surfaces.
This project will be carried out in close collaboration with and Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (Prof. H. Möhwald) in Potsdam, Germany

Methodology:

1. Synthesis of model NPs that are surface active and able to adsorb to air bubble interfaces.
2. in-situ assessment of NP adsorption, desorption, and partitioning of particles at air/water interfaces with various interface characterization techniques.
3. Development of new techniques for foaming tests with the help of the Langmuir trough.

Eligibility criteria:
This scholarship is open to Australian citizens and permanent residents and New Zealand citizens only. Successful applicants will be required to satisfy the entry requirements for a PhD at the University of South Australia.

The Ian Wark Research Institute:
The Wark was founded in 1994 and is one of the key research concentrations in the University of South Australia. It holds a unique position in the Australian research scene as the government-sponsored Australian Research Council (ARC) Special Research Centre for Particle and Material Interfaces. Since its establishment, over 135 students have graduated from The Wark’s doctoral and masters by research programs.
The Wark is the major Chemistry research concentration at UniSA and was instrumental in the University gaining an Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) rating of 5 in Chemical Sciences (one of only two universities, Australia-wide) and 5 in Physical Chemistry (one of only 5 universities, Australia-wide). A rating of 5 is the highest available and recognises research performance well above world standards.

Contact:
Enquiries can be addressed to Prof Dayang Wang (dayang.wang@unisa.edu.au), Associate Professor David Beattie (david.beattie@unisa.edu.au), or Dr Catherine Whitby (catherine.whitby@unisa.edu.au).

Closing date for applications: 14th March, 2011

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