Polymer synthesis involves several aspects of synthetic chemistry. In order to develop polymers of desired characteristics, control of process parameters are very important especially when the product is meant for health care and food industries. Material Science Division undertakes projects for the synthesis of novel materials for various applications or develops alternative materials for different applications.
Some of the recent projects undertaken on the synthesis are listed below:
- Synthesis of metal-containing polyacrylates for optical applications: Metal-containing polyacrylates have been developed with excellent physico-mechanical and optical properties.
- Synthesis of high refractive index polythiols for optical applications: Optimization of process parameters has been carried out to synthesize colorless polythiols having a refactive index of 1.69.
- Synthesis of acrylates for foldable intraocular lens: Optimization of process parameters has been carried out to synthesize monomers for foldable intraocular lenses i.e.Phenyl ethyl acrylate and phenyl ethyl methacryalate.
- Synthesis of polyglycolic acid based surgical absorbable sutures: Polyglycolic acid was prepared through the synthesis of an intermediate glycolide by ring opening polymerization.
- Development of Bone Cement: Bone cement is used to fill the gap between bone and prosthesis. Bone cement has been prepared on laboratory scale and physico-mechanical properties were found to be conforming to the international standards.
- Development of Dental Cement: Polycarboxylate based dental cement used for filling dental cavities, fixation of crown, bridges and also as luting agent has been successfully developed as per international standards.
- Alkyl vinyl tetrazole for binder applications: Optimization of process parameters for the synthesis of vinyl tetrazole using sodium azide and its consequent conversion to alkyl vinyl tetrazole has been done.
- Nano-photocatalyst : A photocatalyst activatable in sunlight has been developed by the doping of titanium dioxide with metal salts of cesium and tungsten.
- Modification of guar gum & cassia gum: High solid process has been developed for incorporation of hydroxypropyl, hydrophobic, methyl, hydroxyethyl, carboxymethyl and cationic moieties on guar and cassia gum for their application in personnel care, paints & fillers, cement & building material and oil exploration sectors.
