Surfactant adsorption in dynamic environments: Application in agrochemical product formulation

Summary

The agrochemicals sector is worth over £2B to the UK economy. These speciality chemicals are manufactured and sold around the world to protect crops, improve soil fertility and increase crop yields; all three being critical to our ability to feed the growing global population.

Agrochemical products are mixtures of active and inert ingredients, formulated as a concentrate which is then diluted before use. In the concentrate, the active ingredient (AI) can aggregate which destabilizes the formulation. To avoid this, short chain amphiphilic molecules (surfactants) are added to adsorb onto the AI via electrostatic attraction, creating a steric barrier that inhibits particle aggregation. To achieve good product stability, surfactants are often added in excess, which is not necessarily needed. However, these AI systems are not well studied/understood as surfactants adsorb onto the inorganic particles as they crystallize from a supersaturated solution.

In this project, we will develop methods to characterize surfactant adsorption onto the AI particles. Experimental techniques such as quartz crystal microbalance and atomic force microscopy, along with scattering techniques at national synchrotron facilities will form a suite of complimentary techniques that will answer critical questions relating to the preferential adsorption of surfactants on different AI particle surfaces, the potential for surfactants to be incorporated into the crystal structure, and how the surfactant adsorption isotherm changes in a dynamic environment. Although experimentally focused, computational modelling techniques can also be used and the candidate will encouraged to use relevant tools if it’s in their interest to develop these skills.

We are seeking a candidate who is highly motivated, keen to develop their research knowledge in the areas of crystallization and colloids and surface science, and is passionate about global food supply. The project is co-funded by Syngenta Group which is a leading technology company for agricultural innovation. Syngenta’s mission is to offer large and small farming businesses the tools to address a wide range of challenges associated with crop productivity and health, to manage food demand, the effects of climate change and help preserve biodiversity. The project will involve close collaboration with the R&D team at Syngenta, and the candidate will have the opportunity to complete a research placement within the R&D group.

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.