This opportunity focuses on the synthesis and characterization of high-performance thermosetting resins, thermoplastics, and plasticizers from renewable materials. Research will be conducted on biomass deconstruction, development of atom-economic methods for monomer synthesis, elucidation of structure/property relationships for biomass-derived monomers, and evaluation of the material properties of resulting polymers and composites. Several classes of thermosetting resins and thermoplastics including cyanate esters, polyphenylenes, polymides, benzoxazines, PEEK, polycarbonates, condensation polymers, and hybrid inorganic/organic polymers are of interest. The Associate will conduct small molecule characterization via techniques including NMR, IR, MS, GC/MS, and X-ray diffraction. Polymer characterization will be conducted using standard techniques including GPC, DSC, TMA and TGA.

 

Keywords:

Renewable fuel; High temperature composites; Green chemistry; Catalysis; Inorganic chemistry; Polymer chemistry;

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral applicants