Polymer Science & Technology
Established in 1975 by world renowned scientist Professor S. Santappa, polymer group in CSIR-CLRI today is a vibrant department with over 25 members consisting of scientists, Ph.D. Students and project assistants. The department’s activity is focussed on various R&D projects of producing polymers, polymer nanocomposites and organic compounds for leather and materials research. This department has so far produced nearly 60 Ph.D. scholars, published more than 500 papers in international journals and filed about 25 patents. More than 10 technologies have been already commercialized. Numerous government sponsored grant-in-aid projects, network projects, consultancy projects, collaborative projects and other projects are being implemented currently totalling several crores.
R&D Activities
Advanced Polymer Materials and Technologies for leather and other industries
The Research activities of the Department are mainly focused on the fundamental and innovative technologies for developing high performances polymeric materials and polymer related technologies to leather, leather and other industries. The department conducts its main research into the chemistry and synthesis of novel monomers and polymers, the chemical modification of polymers and nanomaterials, liquid crystalline polymers, conjugated polymers, polymer nanocomposites, interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) and many advanced areas.
Thrust area of Research
- Development of novel polymeric materials for tanning and retanning applications of leather.
- Plastic electronics.
- Conjugated polymers for solar cell device fabrication.
- Synthesis of liquid crystalline molecules using multi-step synthetic approach.
- Single-walled carbon nanotubes based research.
- Ionic liquid crystalline polyurethane blends, composites and foam composites.
- Supramolecular polymers and polyurethane-drug conjugates in drug delivery.
- Thermoresponsive polymers for catalysis and leather-based research.
- Nanoclays for filling cum retanning in leather processing.
- Functionalization of leather, and non-metallic surfaces.
Present Activities / ongoing projects and research
- Free radical copolymersiation (graft copolymersiation) of inorganic materials such as bentonite, kaoline, Mica with water soluble synthetic polymers such as acrylics.
- Water soluble natural polymers like sodium carboxy methyl cellulose, guar gum, tragacanth gum, sodium alginate , collagen hyrolysate are used for grafting inorganic polymers to impart bio-degradability in the retanning agent for processing bio-degradable leather
- Elecro deposition methods like powder coating for non-conducting surfaces like leather
- Plastic electronics
- Synthesis of liquid crystalline molecules using multi-step synthetic approach.
- Synthesis and characterization of side chain and main chain liquid crystalline monomers and polymers.
- Carbon nanotubes research.
- Ionic liquid crystalline polyurethane blends and composites.
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Major Achievements/Projects completed
- Super plasticizer based on Sulphonated melamine formaldehyde for construction industry as an admixer
- Anti-corrosive polymer based on styrene-acrylate polyurethanes for steel sheets
- Novel re-tanning agent based on collagen hydrolysate-graft-acrylic monomers for leather
- Chemical modification of natural polymers (collagen, chitosan, cellulose, starch, sodium alginate etc.,) and synthetic polymers (neoprene, polychloroprene, PVC,cellulose nitrate)
- Redox processs as a tool for the development of new polymers and block colpolymers.
- Acrylic,vinyl and polyurethane emulsions and dispersions and their applications as photoresists
- Cellulose acetate and cellulose nitrate lacquers for leather finishing
- Castor oil based polyurethane lacquers for leather and sports goofs.
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Technologies Transferred
- Acrylic emulsion medium soft binder for dye and pigment finishes on to leather
- Acrylic emulsion soft binder for dye and pigment finishes on to leather
- A new category of acrylic syntan for retanning of chrome leather
- Polyurethane adhesive for footwear
- Polymer dispersions for enteric coating application (sustained release)
- Super plasticizer based on Sulphonated melamine formaldehyde for construction industry as an admixer
- Anti-corrosive polymer based on styrene-acrylate polyurethanes for steel sheets
- Novel re-tanning agent based on collagen hydrolysate-graft-acrylic monomers for leather
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