DEPARTMENT OF THERMOSTABLE POLYMERS AND NANOCOMPOSITES

Head of the Department

Alexander Fainleib

Corresponding member of the NASU, D.Sc, Prof.

Tel:  +38 (044) 291 02 71

E-mail: fainleib@i.ua, fainleib@nas.gov.ua

 

 Brief information

The Department was created in March 2021 on the basis of the laboratory of Thermostable Polymers and Nanocomposites. (The laboratory was separated in May 2018, which existed since 2007 as a part of Department of Heterocyclic polymers and IPNs, and as a part of the Department of Interpenetrating Polymer Networks and Systems before 2007). There are nine specialists in the Department, including 1 Corresponding member of the NAS of Ukraine, D.Sc, Prof., and 6 PhDs.

 

Field of scientific interests (Scientific areas)

• Synthesis and structure-properties relationships of thermostable heterocyclic polymers, copolymers, micro- and nanocomposites including polymer foams and nanoporous films.
• Study of curing kinetics for thermosets during composites or nanocomposites formation, the effect of nanofillers on these processes.
• Determination of the operational characteristics of the materials developed and the possibilities of their use as glues, coatings, binders for carbon, glass fiber and organoplastics, and electrical insulating compounds.
• Development of effective methods of reusing of polymer wastes and their application in the construction and road industries.
• Concrete modification, development and investigation of composite materials for different branches of industry.

Recent scientific results

High-performance binder and solvent-free technology for its production for carbon plastics with high thermal and physical-mechanical characteristics on the basis of industrial epoxy and cyanate ester resins, as well as polyhedral oligomer silesquioxanes for aircrafts have been developed within the framework of scientific and technical project “Development of nanotechnology of producing hybrid organic-inorganic composite nanomaterials of high thermal stability, adhesion strength and low dielectric loss for elements used in aerospace and electronics” of  State Target Scientific-Technical Program “Nanotechnologies and nanomaterials” (2010-2014). The developed composite materials were successfully tested at ANTONOV COMPANY and Yuzhnoye State Design Office and the Acts of using the results of the above mentioned scientific work have been obtained.

A scientific base for complex chemical utilization of polymer wastes has been created. Scientific principles of creation of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) based on polyolefins and rubbers wastes have been developed. Efficient waste-free technology for the synthesis of high-quality TPEs from polyolefins waste (high- and/or low-density polyethylene and polypropylene) and tire rubber waste has been developed. The main advantage of the method is that the utilization of wastes is environmentally friendly, waste-free and cost-effective with the creation of new high-quality materials. The use of the principles of chemical compatibilization made it possible to regulate the structure and properties of TPEs based on post-consumer materials. The developed materials are practically not inferior to the properties of the best Western analogs, synthesized from primary raw materials, but are much cheaper and environmentally friendly. The new technology is patented and is preparing to be introduced for implementation in road construction. Relevant new materials and resource-saving technologies have been developed in the framework of four international projects funded by the European Community and the USA, namely INCO-Copernicus Project “Recycling of crumb rubber and polyolefin wastes by producing thermoplastic elastomers”, project STCU N3009 “Application of principle of IPNs, dynamic vulcanization and irradiation for compatibilization and reuse of polyethylene/rubber wastes”, project STCU N3569 “Micro- and macro-reinforcement of asphalt concrete pavement with fibrous materials made in Ukraine and their waste”, project STCU N4599 “Radiation-chemical modification of concrete for durability improvement in constructions working in extremal conditions”. New rubber products, road clothes modifiers based on recycled polymers, wastes of rubber and polyamide cord from used car tires, and concrete modifiers are patented.

In the framework of scientific-technical project «Development of effective methods for extending service life of bridges and building structures by chemical and radiation-chemical modification of concrete-2 (2013-2015)» of Target complex scientific-technical program of research of NASU “Problems of resource and safety of operation of constructions, structures and machines” (Resource) the technology of radiation-chemical modification of concrete was developed and optimized on the basis of domestic industrially available raw materials, and acts of using the results of research work were obtained.

Highly thermostable polymer subnanocomposites with nanofillers particles sized from 0.5-1.0 nm have been developed. New approaches of porous polycyanurates creation are developed, and film materials are obtained as membranes suitable for separation of gas mixtures. Work on the creation of new polymer systems based on reproducible plants materials has been started. The first results concerning the synthesis and investigation of structure and properties of highly thermostable polymers from domestic-grade bisphthalonitrile monomers and thermostable binders for aerospace application based on carbon and fiberglass plastics have been obtained. The positive results of testing our developed materials were obtained at ANTONOV COMPANY, and this enterprise is interested in the implementation of the developed materials in the production of aircraft.

Scientific principles of chemical and physical-chemical modification of thermostable polycyanurate networks have been developed. Hybrid polycyanurate networks containing chemically incorporated fragments of epoxy oligomers, polyethers, polyesters or diene rubbers, polycyanurate-polyurethane semi- or full IPNs, porous polycyanurates, carbon plastics and nanocomposites filled with montmorillonite, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes, carbon nanotubes, etc. have been synthesized. Structure-properties relationships for new polymer systems were investigated by using modern methods. The prospect of industrial use of the developed polymeric materials as membranes, adhesives, compounds and matrices for composites for use in the electronic and aerospace industries has been substantiated. The scientific principles of regulation of microphase structure, phase separation and phase composition in thermoplastic IPNs, including on the basis of polymers of natural origin, depending on the type of functionalization of components and their subsequent physical or reactive compatibilization, have been developed.

Universal thermostable polymer compositions have been developed for use in the manufacture of adhesives, sealants, coatings, and membranes in the aerospace and electronic industries.

Researchers from the Laboratory participated in 17 International projects, had 34 personal scientific grants from international organizations, actively cooperates with leading scientists from Ukraine, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Greece, Poland, Israel, Brazil, Mexico, India, Hungary, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, etc., including the scientists from NASU’s Institutes namely from V.P. Kukhar Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry and Petrochemistry, Institute of Nuclear Research, L.V. Pisarzhevskii Institute of Physical Chemistry, G.S. Pisarenko Institute for Problems of Strength, as well as with scientists from the National Aerospace University “Kharkiv Aviation Institute”.

Joint scientific papers with co-authors from 25 foreign Universities and research centers of 13 countries have been published.

 

Scientific and technical developments

1. Effective management of polymer wastes with the production of hydraulic coatings, floors, roofs, seals and fittings for use in the automotive, construction and agricultural industries.
2. Development of an effective modifier for asphalt concrete based on polymer waste, extension of the pavement service life.
3. Development of concrete with high strength, hydrophobicity, water and acid resistance
4. Solvent-free polymer binder for thermostable carbon plastics
5. Thermoplastic elastomers from tire rubber and polyolefines wastes
6. Thermostabletrack-etchedpolymermembranesforgasseparation

Top publications:

1. Fainleib A., Grigoryeva O., Starostenko O., Gusakova K., Grande D. Thermostable Nanoporous Polycyanurates. Akademperiodyka, Kyiv, 2023. – 112 р.  https://doi.org/10.15407/akademperiodyka.477.112
2. Thermostable Polycyanurates. Synthesis, Modification, Structure and Properties, (Ed: A. Fainleib), Nova Science Publisher, New York, 2011. – 362 р.
3. Recent developments in polymer recycling», A. Fainleib, O. Grigoryeva, editors. Transword Research Network, Kerala, India, 2011, ‒ 291p.
4. Grigoryeva O., Fainleib A., Sergeeva L.M. Thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers in interpenetrating polymer networks, in: „Handbook of Condensation Thermoplastic Elastomers”, editor S. Fakirov, WILEY-VCH, Germany, 2005, Сhapter 12, p. 325-354.

5. Hu Z., Zhao D., Wang Y., Gong X., Huang L., Wang J., Wang S., Mao S., Grigoryeva O., Strizhak P., Fainleib A., Tang J. The Created Excellent Thermal, Mechanical and Fluorescent Properties by Doping Eu³⁺-Complex-Anchored Carbon Nanotubes in Polycyanate Resins. Nanomaterials 12(12), 2040 (2022).

https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12122040

6. Günay T., Ahmedzade P., Hassanpour-Kasanagh S., Fainleib А., Starostenko O. Effect of maleic anhydride-grafted and gamma-irradiated recycled polypropylene on rheological properties of asphalt binder. Intern. Journal of Pavement Eng., 2022, 23:13 https://doi.org/10.1080/10298436.2022.2046742.

1. Thermally stable nanoporous cyanate ester resin/linear polyurethane networks created by nuclear technologies / A. Fainleib, O. Grigoryeva, O. Starostenko, K. Gusakova, V. Sakhno, A. Borzakovskiy, T. Kovalinska, B. Youssef, F. Gouanve, E. Espuche, D. Grande // Polymer, 2021, 228:123831 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2021.123831
2. Improved mechanical, anti-UV irradiation and imparted Luminescence properties of Cyanate Ester Resin/unzipped Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes/Europium nanocomposites / N. Yang, X. Qi, Di Yang, M. Chen, Y. Wang, L. Huang, O. Grygoryeva, P. Strizhak, A. Fainleib, J. Tang // Materials, 2021, 14:4244. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14154244
3. High performance multi-functional Cyanate Ester oligomer-based network and epoxy-POSS-containing nanocomposites: structure, dynamics and properties / V. Bershtein, A. Fainleib, P. Yakushev, D. Kirilenko, L. Egorova, O. Grigoryeva, V. Ryzhov, O. Starostenko // Polymer Composites, 2020, 41(5):1900. https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.25506
4. Effect of ionic liquids on kinetic peculiarities of dicyanate ester polycyclotrimerization and on thermal and viscoelastic properties of resulting cyanate ester resins / A. Fainleib, O. Grigoryeva, А. Vashchuk, O. Starostenko, S. Rogalsky, A. Rios de Anda, T.-T.-T. Nguyen, D. Grande // eXPRESS Polym. Lett., 2019, 13(5):469-483. DOI:10.3144/expresspolymlett.2019.39
5. High temperature phthalonitrile nanocomposites with silicon based nanoparticles of different nature and surface modification: Structure,dynamics, properties / V. Bershtein, A. Fainleib, P. Yakushev, D. Kirilenko, K. Gusakova, D. Markina, O. Melnychuk, V. Ryzhov // Polymer, 2019, 165(28):39-54. DOI:10.1016/j.polymer.2019.01.020
6. Application of ionic liquids in thermosetting polymers: Epoxy and cyanate ester resins / A. Vashchuk, A.M. Fainleib, O. Starostenko, D. Grande // eXPRESS Polymer Letters, 2018, 12(10):898-917. DOI: 10.3144/expresspolymlett.2018.77
7. Nanoporous Cyanate Ester Resins: Structure-Gas Transport Property Relationships / Gusakova K., Fainleib A., Espuche E., Grigoryeva O., Starostenko O., Gouanve F., Boiteux G., Saiter J.-M., Grande D. // Nanoscale Research Letters, 2017, 12:305 (p. 1-9) DOI:  10.1186/s11671-017-2071-3
8. Silica subnanometer-sized nodes, nanoclusters and aggregates in Cyanate Ester Resin-based networks: structure and properties of hybrid subnano- and nanocomposites / Bershtein V., Fainleib А., Gusakova K., Kirilenko D., Yakushev P., Egorova L., Lavrenyuk N., Ryzhov V. // Eur. Polym. J., 2016, 85С:375-389. DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2016.10.047
9. Acceleration effect of ionic liquids on polycyclotrimerization of dicyanate esters / A. Fainleib, O. Grigoryeva, O. Starostenko, A. Vashchuk, S. Rogalsky, D. Grande, eXPRESS Polym. Let., 2016, 10(9):722–729. DOI: 10.3144/expresspolymlett.2016.66
10. The impact of ultra-low amounts of introduced reactive POSS nanoparticles on structure, dynamics and properties of thermostable polycyanurates / V. Bershtein, A. Fainleib, L. Egorova, O. Grigoryeva, D. Kirilenko, S. Konnikov, V. Ryzhov, O. Starostenko, P. Yakushev, M. Yagovkina // Eur. Polym. J., 2015, 67:128-142. DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2015.03.022
11. The Impact of Ultra-low Amounts of Amino-Modified MMT on Dynamics and Properties of Densely Cross-linked Cyanate Ester Resin / Bershtein V., Fainleib А., Egorova L., Gusakova K., Grigoryeva O., Kirilenko D., Konnikov S., Ryzhov V., Yakushev P., Lavrenyuk N. // Nanoscale Res. Lett., 2015, 10:165. DOI: 10.1186/s11671-015-0868-5
12. Annealing behavior and thermal stability of nanoporous polymer films based on high-performance cyanate ester resins / K. Gusakova, J.-M. Saiter, O. Grigoryeva, F. Gouanve, A. Fainleib, O. Starostenko, D. Grande // Polym. Degr. Stab., 2015, 120:402-409. DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2015.07.009
13. Thermoplastic elastomers based on recycled high-density polyethylene, ethylene–propylene–diene monomer rubber, and ground tire rubber / O.P. Grigoryeva, A.M. Fainleib, A.L. Tolstov, O.M. Starostenko, E. Lievana, J. Karger-Kocsis // J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2005, 95(3):659-671. DOI: 10.1002/app.21177

 

Participation in International projects

 

1. 2022-2026 French-Ukrainian International Research Project “High-Temperature Resistant Polymeric Materials Based on Synthetic and Natural Phenols” IRP POLYTHERMAT Partners: Institut de Chimie et des Matériaux Paris-Est (ICMPE), Ingénierie des Polymères, Lyon I, France, Institute of Nuclear Research of NASU, Ukraine.
2. 2017-2021 Nanoporous Thermostable Polymer Materials. France (CNRS) – Ukraine (NASU) Project: International Associated Laboratory (LIA) – POLYNANOPORE. Project co-coordinator from Ukraine. Partners: Institut de Chimie et des Matériaux Paris-Est (ICMPE), Ingénierie des Polymères, Lyon I, France, Institute of Nuclear Research of NASU, Ukraine.
3. 2016-2019 Strategic and targeted support for Europe-Ukraine collaboration in aviation research. AERO-UA project. Horizon 2020 (EU). Group leader. Partners: Intelligentsia Consultants, Luxembourg (Coordinator), Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation, Germany, TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS, Poland, University of Manchester, UK, Ivchenko-Progress, Zaporozhye, FED, Kharkov, Ukrainian Research Institute of Aviation Technology, Kyiv, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, National Aerospace University “KhAI”, Kharkov.
4. 2011-2013 Turkish (TUBITAK) – Ukrainian (NASU) Project of Cooperation No 110M400. Partner: Ege University, Bornova/İzmir
5. French (CNRS) – Ukrainian (NASU)

      2004-2005 Projects of Cooperation No 16813,

2006-2007 Projects No 18969 and No 18973,

      2008-2009 Project No 21294,

      2014-2015 Project No 26199

      2011-2013 PICS No 5700. Partners: Institut de Chimie et des Matériaux Paris-Est (ICMPE), Rouen University, Universiity Claude Bernard Lyon 1

1. 2006-2007. ECONET Project, Egide, France). Partners: Rouen University, Ingénierie des Polymères, Lyon I, University of Lorient (France), Technical University of Lodz (Poland)
2. STCU: 2003-2006. Project No 3009, EU,

            2006-2009. Project No 3569, USA,

2009-2011. Project No 4599, EU. Partners: Institute of Nuclear Physics of Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, Rouen University, France, Institute of Nuclear Research of the NASU, Institute of Polymer Materials of Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, State Road Research Institute of Ministry of transport of Ukraine, Tbilisi State University of Georgia, Research & Development Company “KROK” LTD, Ukraine

1. 2001-2003. INCO-Copernicus Program, Contract No ICA2-CT-2001-10003, EU. Partners: University of Palermo (Italy), Kaiserslautern University (Germany), Institute of Chemical Physics of RAS (Russia).
2. 1998–1999. INTAS-network Project, EU, 97-1936.

Personal grants

Alexander Fainleib

2018 INSA de Rouen, France (1 month)

2016 Grant Gouvernement Français, Institut de Chimie et des Matériaux Paris-Est (ICMPE), France (2 weeks)

2014 Thalis грант, National Technical University, Department of Physics, Athens, Greece (1.5 months).

2011-2012 Grant PVE/CARES of Ministério da Educação, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Macromoleculas, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil (1 year).

2009 The Royal Society Fellowship and Joint Project, Chemical Engineering, Polymer & Composite Engineering Group, Imperial College London, UK (1 month).

2008 The Royal Society Fellowship and Joint Project, Chemical Engineering, Polymer & Composite Engineering Group, Imperial College London, UK (1 month).

2006 The Royal Society Fellowship and Joint Project, Chemical Engineering, Polymer & Composite Engineering Group, Imperial College London, UK (2 months).

2004 NATO Fellowship, National Technical University, Department of Physics, Athens, Greece (2 months).

2003 The Royal Society Fellowship, Institute of Polymer Technology and Materials Engineering at Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK (2 months).

2001 SABIT Fellowship, University of North Texas, Department of Material Engineering, Denton, TX, USA (3 months); NATO Fellowship, National Technical University, Department of Physics, Athens, Greece (2 months).

1999 Grant of Fraunhofer Verein, Fraunhofer Institut Zuverlässigkeit und Mikrointegration, Außenstelle Polymermaterialien und Composite, Teltow, Germany (3 months).

1998 Grant of Ministere de l’Education Nationale , de la Recherche et de la Technologie (France), Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Lyon (INSA), Laboratoire des Matériaux Macromoleculaires (5 months); The Royal Society Fellowship, Institute of Polymer Technology and Materials Engineering at Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK (2 months).

 

Olga Grigoryeva

2021 Joint project CNRS – NASU, LIA, Institut de Chimie et des Matériaux Paris-Est (ICMPE), France

2019 Joint project CNRS – NASU, LIA, Institut de Chimie et des Matériaux Paris-Est (ICMPE), Universiity Claude Bernard Lyon 1, France.

2018 Grant Gouvernement Français, Université de Rouen (INSA de Rouen,)

2018 Joint project CNRS – NASU, LIA, Institut de Chimie et des Matériaux Paris-Est (ICMPE), France.

2017 Joint project CNRS – NASU, LIA, Institut de Chimie et des Matériaux Paris-Est (ICMPE), France.

2017 “Horizon 2020”, AERO-UA Grant (EU), Warsaw, Poland.

2015 NASU-CNRS agreement, Institut de Chimie et des Matériaux Paris-Est (ICMPE), France.

2013 PICS, NASU-CNRS agreement, Rouen University, Institut de Chimie et des Matériaux Paris-Est (ICMPE), France.

2013 Turkish (TUBITAK) – Ukrainian (NASU) Project of Cooperation. Ege University, Bornova/İzmir.

2011-2012 Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Macromoleculas, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.

2011 PICS, NASU-CNRS agreement, Institut de Chimie et des Matériaux Paris-Est (ICMPE), France.

2011 PICS, NASU-CNRS agreement, LECAP Laboratory, Université de Rouen, France.

2009 The Royal Society Fellowship and Joint Project, Chemical Engineering, Polymer & Composite Engineering Group, Imperial College London, UK.

2008 The Royal Society Fellowship and Joint Project, Chemical Engineering, Polymer & Composite Engineering Group, Imperial College London, UK.

2006 The Royal Society Fellowship and Joint Project, Chemical Engineering, Polymer & Composite Engineering Group,Imperial College London, UK.

2004 Laboratoire de Recherche sur les Polymères (LRP), Université Paris XII.

2004 STCU Grant, National Technical University, Department of Physics, Athens, Greece.

2004 NATO Fellowship, National Technical University, Department of Physics, Athens, Greece.

2001 NATO Fellowship, National Technical University, Department of Physics, Athens, Greece.

1999 NАТО-ASI Grant, University of Minho, Portugal.

1999 Grant of Fraunhofer Verein, Fraunhofer Institut Zuverlässigkeit und Mikrointegration, Außenstelle Polymermaterialien und Composite, Teltow, Germany.

1998 The Royal Society Fellowship, Institute of Polymer Technology and Materials Engineering at Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK.

1997 INTAS Grant, National Technical University, Department of Physics, Athens, Greece.

1997-1998 INCO-Copernicus project, Leibniz-Institut für Verbundwerkstoffe GmbH (IVW), Technischen Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau, Germany.

 

Olga Starostenko

2017 Grant Gouvernement Français (de l’Ambassade de France en Ukraine, FR) GRANT_NUMBER: 909717A (2 weeks)

2010 Grant of the Association of Supporters of the Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Germany (1 week);

2008 Awarded the Medal of the NAS of Ukraine for young scientists “Talent, Inspiration, Work“.

2006 Laureate of the President of Ukraine Prize for Young Scientists for a series of works: “Development of high-quality and environmentally friendly thermoplastic polymer composites, including on the basis of household waste of polyethylenes and rubber”

2004 STCU Grant, National Technical University, Department of Physics, Athens, Greece

2002-2004 Scholarship holder of the President of Ukraine for young scientists

1998-2000 Scholarship holder of the President of the NAS of Ukraine for young scientists

 

Kristina Gusakova

2018 Rouen University, France (1 month)

2017 AERO-UA Grant (EU)

2017 Laureate of the President of Ukraine Prize for Young Scientists

2016 Grant Gouvernement Français (de l’Ambassade de France en Ukraine, FR)

2016–2018  Scholarship holder of the President of the NAS of Ukraine for talented youth

2014–2016  Scholarship holder of the President of Ukraine for young scientists

2014 Personal Fellowship for investigations (France)

2012 Grant of the President of Ukraine for Talented Youth

2007 Grant Fellowship PENED (Greece)

Department staff

AlexanderFainleib – Head of the Department, corresponding member of the NASU, D.Sc., Professor. Теl/fax: +380 (44) 573–22-72, e-mail: fainleib@i.ua, http://fainleib.jimdo.com

Olga Grigoryeva – senior researcher, PhD, Теl: +380 (44) 291-03-22, e-mail: grigoryevaolga@i.ua

Olga Starostenko – senior researcher, PhD, Теl: +380 (44) 291-03-22, e-mail: o_starostenko@ukr.net

Kristina Gusakova – senior researcher, PhD, Теl: +380 (44) 291-03-69, e-mail: polymernano@ukr.net

Viacheslav Trachevskyi – senior researcher, PhD, Теl: +380 (44) 291-02-32, e-mail: meches49@ukr.net

Kateryna Ivanenko – senior researcher, PhD., Теl: +380 (44) 291-02-32, e-mail: k_ivanenko@i.ua

Diana Shulzhenko – engineer and PhD student, Теl: +380 (44) 291-03-32, e-mail: shulzhenko_d@nas.gov.ua

Inna Danylenko – technician, Теl: +380 (44) 291–03–32, e-mail: innadanylenko@ukr.net

Petro Teselko – technician, PhD, Теl: +380 (44) 291-02-32, e-mail: esko@ukr.net