Faidat Akinwole Braimoh

Biography:

Faidat has always been intrigued about the process involved in the synthesis and manufacturing of products from the product design to the finishing products. In addition, she envisions herself in the frontline of innovative research. This therefore inspired Faidat to apply to the CP3 CDT, which will provide her with the platform to interact with various multidisciplinary professionals in industry while inspiring the younger generation.

PhD: Effect of stearic acid on the melt crystallization and molecular ordering of sodium lauroyl isethionate (SLI) matrix

Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate (SLI) is a mild surfactant which is the main ingredient in many personal care formulations from liquid soaps and shampoos to soap bars. SLI is synthesized by reacting sodium isethionate and lauric acid at elevated temperatures for several hours. Following conversion to form SLI, the liquid melt is drained from the reactor vessel, rapidly cooled and crystallized before flaking. For soap bars, stearic acid (C18) is doped into the melt to modify the hardness of the final product. However, the effect of adding stearic acid on the structural orientation of SLI molecules in the crystallized product is not well understood and the presence of C18 is hypothesized to contribute to the formation of unwanted grit (hardened) particles in the final soap product.

It has recently been shown that purified SLI undergoes extended thermal degradation with the purity of SLI being sensitive to time, temperature and inert/oxidative atmospheres. While the effects of degradation and decomposition on the physical properties of the final product are largely understood (colour, scent, solubility), there is little understanding how these minor components (C18 and degradation products) disrupt and/or interact within the major SLI matrix. This project will bring together a range of analytical and modelling techniques to provide new insight into the molecular structure of synthetic soaps and determine the route cause for grit formation.

Research Project(s) during degree:

• Final year - Copper Thiopicolinamide Complexes as Catalyst for Ullmann-Type Reactions, with Dr Christopher Pask, Chemistry
  Faidat synthesised several ligands and copper complexes for the investigation of copper complexes as potential catalyst in catalytic reactions.

Outreach, training and other activities:

• Jan 2021 - SAXS Beamline investigation at SSRL Beamline 1-5
• Ambassador and Course representative for School of Chemistry for duration of degree.
• Peer Assisted Learning Mentor 2015-16, 2017-18
  Provided academic support and assisted students in lower years in the School of Chemistry.

Masters research project in year 1 of CDT:

• ‘Precision Synthesis of Polymer Nanoparticles Using a cascade of Mini-CSTRs’ with Dr Nick Warren, Chemical & Process Engineering