Anne Philcox

PhD Candidate

BE(Chem) Hons / BSc (Chemistry and Applied Maths)

Location: A303 Engineering Annex
Email: aphilcox@chemeng.adelaide.edu.au
Phone: +61 8 830 34645
FAX: +61 8 8303 4373

Supervisors

Dr Peter Ashman (Chemical Engineering)
A/Prof Mark Buntine (Chemistry) 
Dr Donavan Marney (CSIRO-MMT)

Research Topic

"Elucidating the condensed phase mechanisms of phosphorus-based flame retardants (FRs) in selected polymers"

Research Abstract

Halogenated FRs are supremely efficient at retarding the propagation of fire and are ubiquitously applied to polymeric materials. When these FRs degrade, they release stable halogenated molecules into the atmosphere that interfere with stratospheric ozone equilibria. The necessity to understand how these FRs interact with base polymers in order to predict suitable alternatives is self evident. This project proposes to focus initially on developing a detailed high-temperature reaction mechanism for polypropylene and nylon 6,6 treated with a few halogenated FRs, such as tetrabromobisphenol A bisdibromopropylether, and then extend the study to new generation phosphorus-based FRs. Condensed phase interactions will be of primary concern. Pyrolysis and oxidation kinetics will be investigated using TGA, DTA and/or DSC alone or in series with real time FTIR analysis. Cone calorimetry and mass spectrometry will also be available to this project. Mechanistic pathways suggested through experimentation will be probed with state-of-the-art molecular dynamics software to qualify their validity.

Interests

Combustion, fire retardants, material science, molecular dynamics

Recent Publications