Tuning adhesion through polymer chain entanglement

The phenomenon of adhesion is ubiquitous throughout nature and industry. Selectively adjusting the adhesive interaction between particles in a concentrated suspension as solvent is removed will be achieved in this project. The strategy aims to link measurements over multiple length scales, from single polymer molecules through to ensemble measurements of suspensions involving neutron scattering and yield stress. Understanding how polymer chains intermingle across an interface will fuel advances in industries such as minerals processing, paper-making and waste water treatment. Correlating polymer properties to macroscopic properties will furthermore aid in the improved design of polymer additives.