Professor Peter Mallon - Research

Complex polymer materials and polymer nanocomposites

Research in our group can be broadly characterised as investigations of the structure property-relationship in complex polymer materials including semi-crystalline polymers, multiphase copolymers, nano-structured polymers and nano-filled polymer composite. We are interested in the synthesis of these materials as well as in the development of novel analytical approaches and techniques to characterise these materials.  We investigate the properties and potential application of these materials in for example, producing nanofibre composites and conductive polymer composites.

Current group members

D Sibanda (PhD)

MK Dludlu (PhD)

BM Motloung (PhD, co-suprvisor)

Previous group members

E de Beer (MSc 2024 - Thermo- and pH-responsive nanofiber hydrogels from novel amphiphilic graft terpolymers.)

SS Steyn (MSc 2024 - Tailoring multi-porous carbon nanomaterials from ABA triblock and diblock three-arm star copolymers: synthesis, processing, and carbonisation.)

SK Roman (MSc 2022 - Thermoresponsive hydrogels from poly(ethylen glycol)-based graft poly(dimethyl siloxane) amphiphilic copolymers with tunable lower critical solution temperature.)

AT Mafaune (PhD 2022, co-supervisor - A calix[4]arene based boronic acid catalyst for amide bond formation: proof of principle study.)

LO Paulse (MSc 2020 - Porous carbon nanocomposite and ceramic nanofibres.)

GC Kuyler (MSc 2019 - Physically crosslinked thermo-responsive hydrogel nanofibres with tuneable hydrophobicity based on poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide)-graft-poly(dimethyl siloxane).)

MGM van Niekerk (MSc 2019 - Porous carbon nanofibers containing silica-coated iron oxide nanoparticles by carbonisation of electrospun amphiphilic copolymer nanocomposites.)

SB Eghbali Dogaheh (PhD 2019, co-supervisor - An investigation into the functionalization of poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) with calixarenes and their potential applications.)

DK Shabangu (MSc 2018 - The incorporation of poorly soluble drugs into nanofibers by electrospinning from carboxylic acid polymer solutions.)

S Wagenaar (MSc 2017 - The synthesis and characterization of films and nanofibers from novel poly(N,N’-dimethyl acrylamide)-graft-poly(dimethyl siloxane) amphiphilic hydrogels.)

PJ Siebert (MSc 2016 - Electrospun carbon nanotube filled composite nanofibres by non-covalent compatibilization.)

N van Deventer (MSc 2016 - Electrospun composite nanofibres with magnetic carbon nanotubes.)

C Human (MSc 2015 - Facile method for producing silicon containing porous carbon nanofibers from amphiphilic copolymers.)

N Basson (MSc 2014 - Free volume of electrospun organi-inorganic copolymers.)

F Meltz (MSc 2014 - Amphiphilic electrospun fibres of poly(methacrylic acid)-graft-poly(dimethylsiloxane) copolymers as a means to controlling electrospun fibre morphology and obtaining nanofibre hydrogels.)

K Scharlach (MSc 2014 - The non-covalent compatibilization of carbon nanotubes for use in polymeric composites electrospun nanofibres.)

M Malan (MSc 2012 – Novel materials for VOC analysis. Promotor Porf PE Mallon, co-promoter Dr A De Villiers)

HM Etmimi (PhD 2012 - New approaches to the synthesis and exfoliation of polymer/functional graphene nanocomposites by miniemulsion polymerization. Promoter RD Sanderson, Co-promoter PE Mallon)

MAM Sweed (PhD 2011 - Free volume properties of semi-crystalline polymers.)

GM Bayley (PhD 2011 - Novel electrospun fibres of amphiphilic organic-inorganic graft copolymers of poly(acrylonitrile)-graft-poly(dimethylsiloxane) for silicone composite reinforcement.)

WKS Elhrari (PhD 2011 - Synthesis and characterization of multiphase copolymers.)

JM Simpson (MSc  2010 -  Synthesis and characterization of unsaturated polyesters for use in multi-vesiculated particles (MVPs).)

ABE Abduallah (PhD 2009 - Microscopic surface and bulk morphology of semicrystalline poly(dimethylsiloxane)-polyester copolymers.)

AC Sutherland (MSc 2009 - Organic-inorganic hybrid graft copolymers of polystyrene and polydimethylsiloxane.)

E de Goede  (PhD 2008 - The development of analytical techniques for studying degradation in impact polypropylene copolymers. Promoter: Prof Pasch, Co-promoter PE Mallon)

GM Bayley (MSc 2007 - Synthesis and characterisation of organic-inorganic hybrid block copolymers of poly(dimethylsiloxane) and polystyrene.)

M Swart (MSc 2007 - Synthesis and characterization of electrospun organic-inorganic hybrid graft copolymer nanofibres of poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(dimethylsiloxane.)

G Krugel (MSc 2007 - Synthesis and characterisation of hybrid graft copolymers of poly(dimethylsiloxane) and poly(methyl methacrylate).)

MT Elbuzedi (MSc 2007 Material study and properties of polymers used in composite high voltage insulators.)

MAM Sweed (MSc 2006 - Co-crystallization in polyolefin blends studied by various crystallization analysis techniques.)

WKS Elhari (MSc 2006 - Synthesis and characterization of comb-polymers with controlled structure.)

AAM Baleg (MSc 2006 – Synthesis and characterization of graft and block copolymers using hydroboration. Promoter: PE Mallon Co-promoter Dr APJ van Zyl)

TA Berhane (MSc 2004 – Degradation and recovery of poly(dimetlysiloxane) (PDMS) based composites.)

AJ Rabie (MSc 2004 - Blends with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and plastomers. Promoter: PE Mallon Co-promoter: AJ van Reenen)

Other:

L Klumperman (DSc 2012 - NMR studies of radical polymerisation processes.)