Douglas M. Fox
Assistant Professor - E-mail - Curriculum vitae (pdf)
Research Summary:
Solution thermodynamics of alternative (or “green”) solvents and
characterization of polymer nanocomposites.
Current Research:
The growing world demand for crude oil and petroleum-based products is
putting undue pressure on our ecosystem and has increased the need
for more environmentally benign processes and products. To address
this issue, our group focuses on measuring physicochemical properties
of alternative (or “green”) solutions and polymer nanocomposites. Our
lab is currently working on constructing phase diagrams as well as
measuring the densities and viscosities of green solutions, such as
those using room temperature ionic liquids, ethyl lactate, terpenes,
or water as solvents. In addition, previous work has shown that
room temperature ionic liquids can act as surfactants and improve the
dispersion of laminar clays and carbon nanotubes in conventional polymers. Our
group is working on optimizing these processes and applying the technology
to biopolymers and biodegradable polymers.
Recent relevant publications
(1) D. M. Fox, P. H. Maupin, S. Bellayer, M. Murariu, R. H. Harris Jr.,
J. W. Gilman, D. V. Eldred, D. Katsoulis, P. C. Trulove, and H. C.
De Long, “A dual nanocomposites approach to the preparation of
polymer – layered silicate nanocomposites: 1. The preparation,
characterization, and use of 1,2-dimethyl-3-(benzyl ethyl iso-butyl
POSS)imidazolium chloride as an organic modifier in montmorillonite,” Clays
Clay Miner., submitted.
(2) D. M. Phillips, L. F. Drummy, R. R. Naik, H. C. De Long, D. M. Fox, P. C. Trulove, and R. A. Mantz, “Regenerated silk wet spinning from an ionic liquid solution,” J. Mater. Chem., 2005, 15, 1. (hot article)
(3) D. M. Phillips, L. F. Drummy, D. G. Conrady, D. M. Fox, R. R. Naik, M. O. Stone, P. C. Trulove, H. C. De Long, R. A. Mantz, “Dissolution and regeneration of Bombyx Mori silk fibroin via ionic liquids,” J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2004, 126, 14350.
(4) S. Bellayer, J. W. Gilman, N. Eidelmen, S. Bourbigot, X. Flambard, D. M. Fox, H. C. De Long, and P. C. Trulove, “Preparation of homogeneously dispersed trialkylimidazolium compatibilized multi-walled carbon nanotube / polystyrene nanocomposites via melt extrusion,” Adv. Funct. Mater., 2005, 15, 910.
(5) D. M. Fox, W. H. Awad, J. W. Gilman, P. H. Maupin, H. C. De Long, and P. C. Trulove, “Flammability, thermal stability, and phase change characteristics of several trialkylimidazolium salts,” Green Chem., 2003, 5, 724.