Project abstract:

Postdoctoral Researcher - Development and research of polymer composite materials with low flammability

Department: Ecology and Basic Safety Department, Institute of Non-Destructive Testing

Contract Type: Full Time Employment Contract

Period of employment: 2 years

Salary: 60 000 RUB/month, additional bonuses are possible depending upon achievements

Project scientific advisor: Nazarenko Olga Bronislavovna, Professor of Ecology and Basic Safety Department, Institute of Non-Destructive Testing, Tomsk Polytechnic University

Currently, very strict requirements on fire safety imposed on polymeric materials. The difficulty of solving the problem of reducing the flammability of polymers related to the search of effective fillers that do not reduce physical, mechanical and functional properties of polymers. The use of nanodispersed retardant additives can help to solve the problem. The introduction of nanoparticles in the polymer leads to a change in its molecular structure, the topological and supermolecular levels and to a significant modification of the polymeric material properties. In this case it is expected increasing the thermal stability and reducing the flammability of the modified polymer, and improvement of the physicochemical and functional properties of the composite.

In the area of small additives (~ 1 wt.%) of nanosized particles the effect of extreme changes in physico-chemical properties of the majority of the polymeric materials exists. The problem in this case is the agglomeration of the nanoparticles and the need for their homogeneous distribution in the polymer matrix.

During the project the experimental samples will be produced by introducing into the polymer matrix of small additions of nano- and submicron fillers on the base of natural zeolites modified with oxide-hydroxidealuminum nanofibres. The obtained samples will be studied using modern research methods.

Theoretical level of the expected results in the development of new polymer composite materials with improved properties and reduced flammability is comparable with the world research level. The project will enhance the competitiveness of Tomsk Polytechnic University.

Requirements:

• Applicant must have experience: 3 and more years in scientific or educational institution;
• Applicant must have professional experience in area of a materials science;
• Applicant is required to have a PhD (or candidate of science) degree;
• Applicant must have base in English: ability to explain, read and write scientific articles;;
• Applicant must have publications in the scientific journals with the impact factor > 1, h-index is not less than 2, and articles published in journals that are included in the database Web of Science and / or Scopus.