UV (ultra-violet) degradation of commercially available polymers was investigated using infra-red spectroscopic methods. The investigation was conducted on a series of un-pigmented and TiO2 pigmented polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) samples, different grades of Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) and Poly(ethyleneterepthalate) (PET).

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Responsive core-shell particles have attracted considerable attention over the last decade due to requirements imposed on materials to be more suited for their environment, with the provision to react accordingly when it changes. The responsive component in these cases is a polymer shell, with the core mostly introducing a static dimension, functioning as a structural support, and in some cases providing an indicator of stability. Generally, medium solvency is the key driving force for the behaviour of environmentally responsive polymer shells. To date, numerous novel techniques for the construction of these hybrid particles have been presented, and these can he classified according to the pre synthesis state of the core and shell materials. In addition to responsive behaviour, dimensional control and density of the shell layer being good indicators of a viable method, it is becoming equally important from a green chemistry perspective to minimize processing times and the use of harmful solvents. This thesis describes two main studies: a novel method for the rapid synthesis of environmentally responsive core-shell particles in an aqueous medium, and the responsive behaviour of morphologically similar particles at the air-water interface. The former study exploits the responsive character of the shell polymer to facilitate rapid adsorption onto a the surface of a colloidal dispersion while preventing aggregation. The resultant core-shell particles acquire the character of the polymer, and exhibit cyclic responsiveness. The latter study describes the adsorption behaviour of similar core-shell particles. By manipulating the medium solvency, the interfacial affinity of these particles is probed, and when combined with desorption kinetics and compression studies, reveals how these particles may function when used as foam stabilizers.

The modeling of gas transport processes in polymeric materials is an area of considerable research interest. I present the results of a study of atmospheric gases - oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide, through polyethylene terephthalate (PET). A variety of techniques are employed in order to obtain estimates for the transport co-efficients of these gases.

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The design and synthesis of difunctional chain transfer agents and their subsequent use in the manufacture of ABA block copolymers was investigated. The polymerisations of methyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate and n-butyl acrylate and the kinetics of their polymerizations when using a difunctional chain transfer agent were studied. Block extension experiments were performed in order to produce ABA block copolymers. Alternative strategies are explored for the synthesis of ABA block copolymers, by preparation of macro chain transfer agents through the modification of the end groups of commercially available homo- and alternating telechelic polymers bearing hydroxy end groups. The synthesis of functional chain transfer agents bearing azide groups, for potential use in block copolymer synthesis was investigated. The thermal stability of a variety of chain transfer agents was assessed for the purposed of determining their suitability for use at elevated temperatures.

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