Sulfur copolymers for coatings, composites, and mining applications

Author: Maximilian Mann

  • Thesis download: available for open access on 28 Apr 2025.

Mann, Maximilian, 2022 Sulfur copolymers for coatings, composites, and mining applications, Flinders University, College of Science and Engineering

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Abstract

The development of sustainable polymers is growing ever more important. In this work, a sustainable sulfur polymer in conjunction with a novel gold oxidation was used to develop methods for mercury free artisanal small scale gold mining and safer electronic waste recycling. Further, various sustainable sulfur polymers were used to develop sorbents for environmental mercury remediation, high tech coatings that actively bind to harmful mercury, protect against acid and solvents, and are repairable when damaged. Sulfur polymers have also been explored as bulk structural material by bonding polymer blocks through amine catalysed S-S metathesis and by increasing their flexural strength though the addition of carbon fibers or carbon nanotube.

Keywords: Sustainable, Polysulfide, Inverse Vulcanisation, Polymer

Subject: Chemistry thesis

Thesis type: Doctor of Philosophy
Completed: 2022
School: College of Science and Engineering
Supervisor: Professor Justin Chalker