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Assistant Professor,
Polymer Chemistry;
Free Radical Polymerization &
Block Copolymers
Contact
CIQA (Research Center for Applied Chemistry)
Department of Polymer Chemistry
Saltillo Coahuila, Mexico, 25100
Ph. +52(844) 438-9830 ext 1238
Fax: + 52(844) 438-9839
ramirog@ciqa.mx or polyraza@yahoo.com
Affiliations
- Pacific Polymer Federation http://www.polyacs.org/ppf/ppfhist/ppfhist.shtml
- American Chemical Society http://www.acs.org
- Mexican Polymer Society
- The Mexican CRP network http://www.crp.com.mx
Educational Qualifications:
Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry Strasbourg University-CNRS, 1991
M.Sc. in Polymer Chemistry Coahuila University, 1986
B.S.E. in Chemistry, Coahuila University, 1983
DEA, Physicochemistry Strasbourg University-CNRS, 1987
Visiting Scientist:
Polymer Science at the University of Akron 1998-1999, Hosted by (H. Harwood/D. Priddy Dow-Chemical)
INSA Lyon 1997, Hosted By ( G. Vigier/J.Y. Cavaille)
Awards/Recognitions:
Research National System (SNI-II)
Expert for the Mexican National Council for Science & Technology
Mexican Council for the Pacific Polymer Federation
Focus:
New polymerization methods for preparation of block an graft copolymers. Morphology-properties relationships of polymers. Nanodispersion of rubbers on thermoplastics and dispersion of silver nanoparticles in gels.
Research:
My principal interest is to get a deep understand the mechanistic aspects of modern free radical polymerization methods, then, use this knowledge to adapt them to new technologies. We focus on produce new plastics or improve those used for commercial applications. We also keep an eye in developing new polymerization systems in order to create different polymer structures. Research in this area can be further divided into three sub-topics:
(A) New chain transfer agents for RAFT polymerization.
The recent development of new synthetic chemistries, such as RAFT polymerization and various other living free radical polymerization (LFRP) techniques has enabled the production of block copolymers other than the limited selection (e.g., styrene-diene type block copolymers) accessible through classical anionic polymerization.
My work in this field is directed towards develop new reversible chain transfer agents enable to produce block/graft copolymers or hyperbranched systems. These new transfer agents are thought to avoid diminution of polymerization rate as well as induction periods in order to better adapt the controlled free radical polymerization to commercial reactors.
(B) Antibacterial Coatings based on Silver Nanocomposites.
We focus in the antibacterial/antiviral properties of silver salts and nanoparticles. Particularly, we are interested in the correlated dispersion of silver nanoparticles in a polymer matrix which is a block-like copolymer. Further, we currently use modern polymerization techniques to induce such a correlated position of metallic particles in hydrophilic coatings. Potential applications of such materials fall in the area of medical devices.
(C) Dispersión of rubbers on thermoplastics for high impact materials with specific properties.
Polydienes functionalization with persistent free radicals as been the principal achievement in this activity. The polymerization of vinyl monomers (styrene, methylmathacrylate) with such a macroinitiator result in the formation of graft copolymers and nanodispersion of rubber in a thermoplastic. Small particles of polydiene with a size of 50 nm present totally different properties to the same material with particles in the micrometric size scale. We currently work in a one- pot method to produce this class of materials.
Recent Publications:
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