Dr John J Liggat

Biography - Background

Brought up in Rutherglen, just outside Glasgow, I studied chemistry at the University of Glasgow (BSc Hons, 1st class 1982) and subsequently obtained my PhD from the University for studies on the thermal degradation of thermoplastics in the presence of metal-ion complexes, supervised by Dr Ian McNeill.

Following post-doctoral research on permo-selective polymer membranes at Heriot-Watt University with Dr Jim Cameron and Dr Ian Soutar, I spent six years with ICI (subsequently Zeneca) at Wilton and Billingham on Teesside where I studied the melt processability of high temperature thermoplastics such as PEEK and PPS, and the biodegradable polymer BIOPOL, with a particular interest in crystallisation behaviour and plasticisation.

In 1994, I joined the University of Strathclyde where I am now Reader in Physical Chemistry.  My research group has a major research interests across a wide spectrum of polymer chemistry, physics and technology, including adhesion, crystallisation behaviour, physical ageing, nanocomposite technology and polymer processing.  One major focus is the elucidation of the mechanistic organic chemistry of polymer degradation processes, particularly in relationship to polymer durability, processing and fire response.  Although a mature field, polymer degradation science is undergoing something of a renaissance, with the field being driven forward by issues such as waste polymer recycling, the need for new biodegradable polymers to meet biomedical applications or to address environmental issues, and the requirement for a new generation of fire-retarded polymers avoiding the use of toxic additives.  

The polymer group prides itself on its industrial focus, and particularly its long term relationship with SME's through the Knowledge Transfer Partnership scheme.  Current research includes Knowledge Transfer Partnerships with local companies Taylor Bowls and Stylemark and PhD programmes with DuPont-Teijin Films and AWE.

A major analytical tool in the group is Thermal Volatilisation Analysis (TVA) a versatile, yet nowadays little known, technique capable of analysing (in real time) the evolution of volatile species from an analyte, cryogenically collecting evolved volatiles and characterising the individual components by mass spectrometry.  In our most recent work TVA has been re-visited, updated and re-applied to new applications and now has  become an indispensable tool for the study of various aspects of volatiles evolution analysis and characterisation, particularly in relation to our work on polymer flammability.

Recognising the value of synergistic partnerships, I work closely with colleagues within the University, particularly Prof Richard Pethrick and Dr Nick Hudson from Pure and Applied Chemistry, and Dr Carl Schaschke, Dr Martin Sweatman and Dr Jan Sefcik (Chemical and Process Engineering).