Activity mainly concerns the relationship between chemical structure, processing, microstructure and the physical properties of thermoplastic polymers, and furthermore, how the properties can be influenced by each of these aspects. Beyond the characterization of the primary crystallization process and resulting microstructure in numerous polymers, blends and thermoplastic composites, a significant theme is the analysis of the kinetics and mechanism of the secondary crystallization process using a hybrid technique combining infra-red spectroscopy and differential thermal analysis (FTIR-DTA).

The application of advanced thermal analysis has continued through the use of ultra-fast scanning chip-calorimetry (FLASH DSC). This technique has allows the elimination of the microstructural re-organisation processes that occur on heating in partially crystalline polymers and thereby provide an understanding of the effect of polymer processing without the instrumental artifacts associated with conventional thermal analysis. Other highlights include a broad and systematic evaluation of the use of CO₂ in the processing of thermoplastic polymers; the promotion of miscibility, rheological properties (a reduction in chain reptation time), foaming and melting point depression have all be explored.

Recent publications

Article

Jenkins, M, Turner, R, Marsh, J & Carter, J 2019, 'Thermal diffusivity and secondary crystallisation in poly(lactic acid)', Polymer. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2019.121595

Smith, J, Green, S, Petcher, S, Parker, D, Zhang, B, Worthington, M, Wu, X, Kelly, C, Baker, T, Gibson, C, Campbell, J, Lewis, D, Jenkins, M, Willcock, H, Chalker, J & Hasell, T 2019, 'Crosslinker co‐polymerisation for property control in inverse vulcanisation', Chemistry: A European Journal. https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.201901619

Hughes, E, Parkes, A, Williams, R, Jenkins, M & Grover, L 2019, 'Formulation of a covalently bonded hydroxyapatite and poly(ether ether ketone) composite', Journal of Tissue Engineering, vol. 9, pp. 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1177/2041731418815570

Jenkins, M, Fitzgerald, A & Kelly, C 2019, 'Reduction of poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) secondary crystallisation through blending with saccharides', Polymer Degradation and Stability, vol. 159, pp. 116-124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2018.11.020

Marsh, J, Turner, R, Wang, M & Jenkins, M 2018, 'Analysis of the failure of a PPS polymer cycling support: Microscopy and Finite Element studies', Engineering Failure Analysis, vol. 93, pp. 300-308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2018.07.025

Fereshteh-Saniee, N, Reynolds, N, Kelly, CA, Wilson, PR, Jenkins, MJ & Kendall, KN 2018, 'Introducing cryomilling for reliable determination of resin content and degree of cure in structural carbon fibre reinforced thermoset composites', Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, vol. 107, pp. 197-204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2018.01.004

Abdul Aziz, A, Hay, J & Jenkins, M 2018, 'The melting of poly (ι-lactic acid)', European Polymer Journal, vol. 100, pp. 253-257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2018.01.041

Jenkins, M & Kelly, C 2018, 'Secondary crystallisation and degradation in P(3HB-co-3HV): an assessment of long-term stability', Polymer Journal. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41428-017-0012-8

Kelly, C, Fitzgerald, A & Jenkins, M 2018, 'Control of the secondary crystallisation process in poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) through the incorporation of poly(ethylene glycol)', Polymer Degradation and Stability. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2018.01.003

Abdul Aziz, A, Samsudin, S, Hay, J & Jenkins, M 2017, 'The Effect of a Secondary Process on Polymer Crystallization Kinetics – 3. Co-poly (lactic acid)', European Polymer Journal, vol. 94, pp. 311-321. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2017.07.006

Mohammed, S, Chouhan, G, Anuforom, O, Cooke, M, Walsh, A, Morgan-Warren, P, Jenkins, M & De Cogan, F 2017, 'Thermosensitive hydrogel as an in situ gelling antimicrobial ocular dressing', Materials Science and Engineering C, vol. 78, pp. 203-209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msec.2017.04.065

Jenkins, M, Kukureka, S & Samsudin, SA 2017, 'Crystallisation kinetics of cyclic and linear poly(butylene terephthalate)', Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, vol. 128, no. 1, pp. 457-463. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-016-5921-9

Murphy, S, Marsh, J, Kelly, C, Leeke, G & Jenkins, M 2017, 'Co2 Assisted blending of poly(lactic acid) and poly(ε-caprolactone)', European Polymer Journal. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2016.12.013

Samsudin, SA, Kelly, CA, Kukureka, SN & Jenkins, MJ 2016, 'Development of partial miscibility in polycarbonate/polypropylene blends via annealing', Journal of Polymer Engineering, vol. 37, no. 7, pp. 707-714. https://doi.org/10.1515/polyeng-2016-0254

Chapter

Kelly, C, Overton, T & Jenkins, M 2019, Synthesis of biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoates from soil bacteria. in BB Mishra & SK Nayak (eds), Frontiers in Soil and Environmental Microbiology. 1 edn, CRC Press.

View all publications in research portal