Minhao Wong

Joined group in: August 2008

Research Focus: My current research interests are the design of novel polymer nanocomposites and the manipulation of nanostructures such as zinc oxide (ZnO) quantum dots, carbon nanotubes (CNT) and α-zirconium phosphate (ZrP) nanoplatelets. While working for Kaneka, I developed ways to graft poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) onto ZnO quantum dots so that they could be melt-blended into a neat polymer while maintaining a very good dispersion. The nanocomposite thus formed is transparent even at very high loadings of ZnO and is fully melt-processable. I found that the Tg of this new material increases linearly with the amount of ZnO contained. This was a totally unexpected discovery, which hints at a way of controlling the Tg of a polymer without changing its chemical structure. You can read more about this discovery in my soon-to-be-published paper in Soft Matter. Since the nanocomposite is transparent, the refractive index (RI) could be measured accurately and I found the RI also increased linearly with the amount of ZnO.  I have extended part of my previous research into my PhD research by focusing on dispersing novel nanofillers into polymer matrix. I am currently working on using new ways to blend ZrP and CNT into epoxy resin such that a highly dispersed state could be achieved.

 I received my B. App. Sci (Hons) in materials engineering from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore in 2001. Following that, I did two years of postgraduate studies in Texas A&M University and obtained an M.Sc in mechanical engineering in 2003. My master thesis was “The development of scratch test methodology and characterization of surface damage of polypropylene”. After receiving my master degree, I decided to accept an offer to work for a company in Osaka, Japan (Kaneka Corp.) as an industrial polymer scientist. It was a very challenging job, since I understood only basic Japanese (basic greetings, self-introduction etc, after which I would be totally lost in a conversation) and my training did not prepare me to design and synthesize polymers, which was a major component of my new job.  Luckily, I had some very patient and friendly colleagues who taught me how to blend in with the locals and how to do the chemical reactions. Blending in entails following local customs, and that usually requires a lot of after-work drinking at the local bar or restaurant.  It was not all fun and play.  Working in a company means that a lot of the work I did was sensitive to the market. Project term life was usually a year or less and there were deadlines to be met constantly.  Fortunately, I was able to come up with some good ideas and they were converted into patent applications. Some of the work I did in the company was of high enough quality to be published in a top academic journal. After four years working in an industrial lab, I realized my true passion was in research. I decided to do a PhD and came back to TAMU in 2008.

Hobbies: My hobbies are camping, hiking, running, rock-climbing and skiing. I picked up skiing while I was living in Japan and I was instantly addicted to the sport. Sometimes, I wish I were living somewhere else where thereis a mountain with a ski resort nearby, but this may be a blessing in disguise. I would probably be spending all my time skiing and neglecting my PhD research if I were.

PUBLICATIONS

Patents Applications

1. M. Wong, K. Yamaguchi and R. Tsuji, “TRANSPARENT POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES CONTAINING NANOPARTICLES AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME”, PCT Application, WO2007/043496.
2. M. Wong, K. Yamaguchi and R. Tsuji, “Thermoplastic material comprising polymer grafted inorganic ultrafine particle nanocomposites and synthesis method” (title translated from Japanese) JP Application 2009-1652 A (in Japanese only).
3. R. Tsuji, A. Tatami and M. Wong, “Surface-modified Zinc Oxide fine particle” JP Application 2008-280202 A (in Japanese only).
4. Y. Kaneda and M. Wong, “Curable compound and cured compound comprising polymer covered metal oxide ultrafine particle” (title translated from Japanese) JP Application 2009-40613 A (in Japanese only).

Industrial Standards

1. G.T. Lim, M. Wong, A. Moyse, H.-J. Sue, and E. K.-L. Lau, “Evaluation of Scratch Resistance of Polymeric Coatings and Plastics Using an Instrumented Scratch Machine”, ASTM Standard D7027-05 (June 2005).

Peer-reviewed Articles

1. M. Wong, R. Tsuji, S. Nutt and H-J Sue, “Glass transition temperature changes of melt-blended polymer nanocomposites containing finely dispersed ZnO quantum dots”, Soft Matter, 2010, 6, 4482-4490.
2. D. Sun, W.N. Everett, M Wong, H-J Sue, N. Miyatake, “ Tuning of the Dispersion of Ligand-Free ZnO Quantum Dots in Polymer Matrices with Exfoliated Nanoplatelets”, Macromolecules, 42 (5), pp 1665–1671, (2009).
3. D. Sun, M. Wong, L. Sun, Y. Li, N. Miyatake and H-J Sue, “Purification and Stabilization of Colloidal ZnO Nanoparticles in Methanol”, J. Sol-Gel Sci Techn, Volume 43, Number 2, pp 237-243 (2007).
4. G.T. Lim, M.-H. Wong, A. Moyse, J.N. Reddy and H.-J. Sue, “An Integrated Approach Towards the Study of Scratch Damage of Polymer”, Ed. by Phil V Yaneff, Special Issue at J. Coating Techno. Res, 2, 361-369(2005).
5. M. Wong, A. Moyse, F. Lee and H.-J. Sue, “Study of Surface Damage of Polypropylene under Progressive Loading”, J. Mater. Sci., 39, 3293-3308(2004).
6. M. Wong, G.T. Lim, A. Moyse, J.N. Reddy, and H.-J. Sue, “A New Scratch Test Method for Polymers”, Wear, 256, 1214-1227(2004).
7. M. Wong, M. Paramsothy, X. J. Xu, Y. Ren, S. Li, and K. Liao, Physical Interactions at Carbon Nanotube-Polymer Interface, Polymer, 44 (2003) 7757–7764.

Contact Information

Email:wong1108@tamu.edu
Office: DOH 201J