Dr Francis Clegg BSc Hons, PhD, MRSC, FHEA
Senior Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Fellow
Summary
Francis Clegg graduated from in 1994 with a degree in Applied Chemistry and continued at the same establishment within MERI to complete a PhD in 1998 involving the physicochemical properties of organo-mineral interactions.
After one year in the Chemical and Process Engineering Department at the University of Newcastle, Francis returned to in 1999 to further his research in organo-mineral interactions with particular emphasis on polymer (nano)composites.
About
As a Senior Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Fellow and chemist at heart, Francis's current research interests are fulfilled within several polymer and composite projects, including:
• Sustainable and flexible high barrier packaging;
• Controlled release open wound dressings;
• Fire retardant composite resins;
• Polymer membranes and surface modification;
• Stimuli responsive shape memory polymers;
• Intumescent paints.
At the core of these projects is a detailed understanding of the interaction and compatibility of composite fillers with the polymer matrix. This is particularly relevant to the organo-mineral interactions involved in clay-polymer nanocomposites. Complimentary knowledge and practical application of the extensive analytical instruments within (in particularly thermo-analytical) allows an enhanced understanding of the systems and allows further development of the research and novel products.
In addition to being involved in internal, UK government and European Funded projects, Francis actively engages in consultancy and has worked successfully with companies both small and large, national and international.
To help deliver on research projects Francis supervises and works alongside Erasmus and visiting PhD research students to offer working experience via a hands on approach.
Teaching
College of Business, Technology and Engineering
Subject Area/Group
Chemistry
Modules taught
Introduction to Inorganic and Materials Chemistry (Polymers and Composites), BSc (Hons) Chemistry, Level 4
Advanced Inorganic, Physical and Materials Chemistry (Heterogeneous Catalysis), BSc (Hons) Chemistry, Level 6
Forensic Chemistry (Materials, Polymers and Composites, and their characterisation), BSc (Hons) Forensic Science, Level 5
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Current projects:
2016 - Present: PF-CLAY - Fire-retardant Nanocomposites for Aircraft Interior Applications. Innovate UK grant.
2010 - Present: - Controlled release open wound dressings. Funded by SHU Proof-of-Concept Funding.
Selected/Past projects:
2011 - 2015: NewGenPak - New Generation of Functional Cellulose Fibre Based Packaging Materials for Sustainability, a Marie Curie Initial Training Network. Funded under EU FP7.
2009 - 2012: – Processing and upscaling of fire resistant nano-filled thermosetting polyester resins. EU FP7 funded project.
2008 - 2011: – Design and Development of an innovative, eco-efficient, low substrate flexible paper packaging from renewable resources to replace petroleum based barrier films. EU FP7 funded project.
2004 - 2008: SUSTAINPACK: Innovation and Sustainable Development in the Fibre Based Packaging Value Chain. EU funded, FP6 Integrated Project.
2003 - 2006: SUREFIRE – Next generation fire-resistant lightweight structural materials. Basic technologies for Industrial Applications (BTIA) Link programme.
2002 - 2004: : A Fundamental Study of the Processing-Structure-Properties of Nanocomposites for Industrial Applications. EU funded FP5 Project.
Publications
Journal articles
Majiya, H., Clegg, F., & Sammon, C. (2024). . Journal of Environmental Management, 370.
Majiya, H., Clegg, F., & Sammon, C. (2023). . Applied Clay Science, 246.
Stacey, P., Clegg, F., Rhyder, G., & Sammon, C. (2022). Correction to: Application of a Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Principal Component Regression (PCR) Chemometric Method for the Quantification of Respirable Crystalline Silica (Quartz), Kaolinite, and Coal in Coal Mine Dusts from Australia, UK, and South Africa. Annals of work exposures and health, 66 (6), 825-826.
Stacey, P., Clegg, F., Rhyder, G., & Sammon, C. (2022). . Annals of Work Exposures and Health, 66 (6), 825-826.
Stacey, P., Clegg, F., & Sammon, C. (2021). . Annals of Work Exposures and Health.
Bell, A.M.T., Clegg, F., & Henderson, C.M.B. (2021). . Mineralogical Magazine.
Stacey, P., Hall, S., Stagg, S., Clegg, F., & Sammon, C. (2021). . Journal of Raman Spectroscopy.
Stacey, P., Clegg, F., Morton, J., & Sammon, C. (2020). . Analytical methods, 12 (21), 2757-2771.
Breen, C., Clegg, F., Thompson, S., Jarnstrom, L., & Johansson, C. (2019). . Applied Clay Science, 183, 105272.
Clegg, F., Breen, C., Muranyi, P., & Schönweitz, C. (2019). . Applied Clay Science, 179, 105144.
Trifol, J., van Drongelen, M., Clegg, F., Plackett, D., Szabo, P., & Daugaard, A.E. (2019). . Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 47486.
Duncan, O., Clegg, F., Essa, A., Bell, A., Foster, L., Allen, T., & Alderson, A. (2019). . physica status solidi (b), 256 (1).
Laycock, E., Pirrie, D., Clegg, F., Bell, A., & Bidwell, P. (2018). . Construction & Building Materials, 196, 611-625.
Mary, N., Rebours, M., Castel, E., Vaishnav, S., Deng, W., Bell, A., ... Bingham, P. (2018). . Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids.
Porter, C.P., Bezzina, J.P., Clegg, F., & Ogden, M.D. (2018). . Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 135 (7), 45814.
Cavaye, H., Clegg, F., Gould, P.J., Ladyman, M.K., Temple, T., & Dossi, E. (2017). . Macromolecules, 50 (23), 9239-9248.
Laycock, E., Jefferson, D., Hetherington, S., Clegg, F., & Wood, C. (2017). . Construction and Building Materials, 159, 486-498.
Benassi, L., Dalipi, R., Consigli, V., Pasquali, M., Borgese, L., Depero, L.E., ... Bontempi, E. (2017). . Environmental Science and Pollution Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, 24 (17), 14834-14846.
Keles, H., Naylor, A., Clegg, F., & Sammon, C. (2015). . Polymer Degradation and Stability, 119, 228-241.
Johansson, C., & Clegg, F. (2015). . Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 132 (28).
Johansson, C., & Clegg, F. (2015). . Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 132 (13), 41737.
Clegg, F., Breen, C., & Khairuddin, (2014). . The Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 118 (46), 13268-13278.
Barwood, M.J., Breen, C., Clegg, F., & Hammond, C.L. (2014). . Applied Clay Science, 102, 41-50.
Keles, H., Naylor, A., Clegg, F., & Sammon, C. (2014). . Analyst, 139 (10), 2355.
Keles, H., Naylor, A., Clegg, F., & Sammon, C. (2014). . Vibrational Spectroscopy, 71, 76-84.
Clegg, F., & Breen, C. (2013). . Applied Clay Science, 85, 80-87.
Breen, A.F., Breen, C., Clegg, F., Döppers, L.-.M., Khairuddin, , Labet, M., ... Yarwood, J. (2012). . Polymer, 53 (20), 4420-4428.
Clegg, F., Breen, C., Johansson, C., Bras, J., Mondragon, I., Nechita, P., ... Aucejo, S. (2012). . BioResources, 7 (2), 2506-2552.
Clegg, F., Breen, C., Carter, M.A., Ince, C., Savage, S.D., Wilson, M.A., & Lee, W. (2011). . Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 95 (1), 416-422.
Sökmen, M., Tatlıdil, İ., Breen, C., Clegg, F., Buruk, C.K., Sivlim, T., & Akkan, Ş. (2011). . Journal of Hazardous Materials, 187 (1-3), 199-205.
Clegg, F., Breen, C., Tathdil, I., Sokmen, M., Buruk, C.K., & Bacaksiz, E. (2011). . Jounal of Sol-gel Science and Technology, 60 (1), 23-32.
Clegg, F., Breen, C., Herron, M.M., Hild, G.P., Hillier, S., Hughes, T.L., ... Yarwood, J. (2008). . Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 60, 1-17.
Belver, C., Breen, C., Clegg, F., Fernandes, C.E., & Vicente, M.A. (2004). . Langmuir, 21 (6), 2129-2136.
Greenfield, D., & Clegg, F. (2004). Enhancement of barrier properties in organic coatings using Nanocomposites. Journal of Corrosion Science and Engineering, 8.
Breen, C., Clegg, F., Hughes, T., & Yarwood, J. (2001). . Journal of physical chemistry. B, 105 (21), 4872-4878.
Breen, C., Clegg, F., Hughes, T.L., & Yarwood, J. (2000). . Langmuir, 16 (16), 6648-6656.
Conference papers
Khairuddin, , Pramono, E., Utomo, S.B., Wulandari, V., Zahrotul, A.W., & Clegg, F. (2016). . Journal of physics: Conference series, 776 (1), 012054.
Khairuddin, , Pramono, E., Utomo, S.B., Wulandari, V., A'an Zahrotul, W., & Clegg, F. (2016). . IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 107 (Conf 1), 012066.
Khairuddin, , Pramono, E., Utomo, S.B., Wulandari, V., Zahrotul, A.W., & Clegg, F. (2016). . Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 776 (1), 012053.
Clegg, F., Breen, C., & Bannister, S. (2008). GEOC 223-Effect of dry milling on the structure and thermal stability of a commercial organoclay. ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY, 235.
Breen, C., Clegg, F., & Bannister, S. (2008). GEOC 224-Influence of clay host on the thermal stability of model organoclays and their commercial counterparts. ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY, 235.
Zhou, Z., Rainforth, W.M., Lewis, D.B., Creasy, S., Forsyth, J.J., Clegg, E., ... Munz, W.D. (2004). . Surface and Coatings Technology, 177, 198-203.
Theses / Dissertations
Chadwick, R. (2024). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Clegg, F.
Majiya, H.M. (2023). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Clegg, F., & Sammon, C.
Stacey, P. (2022). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Sammon, C., & Clegg, F.
Trinh, P.T.D. (2015). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Clegg, F., & Breen, C.
Keles, H. (2014). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Sammon, C.
Barwood, M. (2012). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Breen, C., & Clegg, F.
Khairuddin, (2012). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Clegg, F., & Breen, C.
Charlesworth, K. (2007). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Breen, C.
Clegg, F. (1998). . (Doctoral thesis).
Other activities
- Treasurer (2016) and committee member (2013-present) for the Clay Minerals Group of The Mineralogical Society;
- Associate Editor for Applied Clay Science;
- Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry;
- Internal and External PhD examiner.
Postgraduate supervision
Francis has previously acted as Director of Studies for two PhD students and as supervisor to 6 internal PhD students.
Past students:
- Trinh Pham. Chemical/Thermal Modification of Poly(vinyl alcohol) Film for Enhanced Water Vapour Barrier Properties. 2016.
- Khairuddin. Clay poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVOH) nanocomposites: competitive and synergistic adsorption of PVOH and plasticisers onto Na-bentonite. 2012.