Brian Grady

Professor
Douglas and Hilda Bourne Chair of Chemical Engineering Professor
Director, Institute for Applied Surfactant Research

Email: bpgrady@ou.edu
Office: Sarkeys Energy Center, T-223
Website
Institute for Applied Surfactant Research
Google Scholar

Education
Ph.D. Chemical Engineering (1994)
University of Wisconsin-Madison
B.S. Chemical Engineering (1987)
University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign

Research Focus

Polymers
Surfactants
Polymer recycling
Biodegradable Polymers
Interfaces

Experience and Awards

Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (2021)
President, Society of Plastics Engineers (2018-2019)
Fellow of the Society of Plastics Engineers (2012)
Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship (2000-2001)
NSF CAREER Award (1998-2003)
Project Engineer, Procter and Gamble (1987-1989)

About

Our research has three focuses: the first is on polymer systems with two different components, such as polymer-matrix composites, especially those with carbon nanotubes, phase separated copolymers or polymer blends. The second interest is fundamental properties of oil-water interfaces, especially at high pressures and temperatures. The third interests is fundamental characteristics of surfactants in solution with an emphasis on adsorption at the solid-liquid interface. The goal of our research is to quantify how and why the separate components influence properties by understanding the underlying micro- or nano¬structure. In other words, we are interested in determining the fundamental interrelationship between chemical structure, morphology, and properties. Our group uses extremely high-tech equipment to explore these characteristics including x-ray and light scattering, electron and atomic force microscopy, shear rheology, and drop-shape analysis/rheology. Our laboratory collaborates with both academic and industrial colleagues, and we bring these important characterization tools to study relevant and practical problems. As of August 2024, the results of our research have been featured in over 160 refereed archival journal papers and 12 book chapters. Dr. Grady is a co-inventor on 9 granted US Patents. Dr. Grady is also the author of a single-author book on carbon nanotubes in polymers

Books

B.P. Grady, Carbon Nanotube-Polymer Composites: Manufacture, Properties, and Applications, (New York: John Wiley & Sons), August 2011 (ISBN: 978-0-470-59641-8).

Selected Publications

B.X. Wang, Y. Cortes-Peña, B.P. Grady, G.W. Huber, V.M. Zavala, “Techno-Economic Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment of the Production of Biodegradable Polyaliphatic-Polyaromatic Polyesters”, ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 24, 9156-9167 (2024).
M.C. Zhou, Z.A.Chaleshtari, B.J. Shiau, B.P. Grady, R. Foudazi, “Air-water interfacial properties of perfluorosulfonic acid salts with different chain lengths”, Colloids and Surfaces A, Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 694, Art. 134129 (2024).
B. Xu and B.P. Grady, “Further Exploration of Heat of Immersion as a Method to Quantify Wettability for Particulates: Effect of Temperature”, Langmuir, 40, 6675–6684 (2024).
B.P. Grady, “Very long-time crystallization kinetics for ethylene-methacrylic acid ionomers neutralized with zinc, sodium, lithium and magnesium”, Thermochimica Acta, 734, Art. 179694 (2024).
M.A. Rhue, M. Zaquot, C. Bavlnka, S. Crossley, B.P. Grady, “Length reduction kinetics of multiwalled carbon nanotubes correlated to planetary ball mill impact energy”, Fullerenes, Nanotubes and Carbon Nanostructures, 32, 8-21 (2024).
S.A. Pineda-Castillo, T.L. Cabaniss, H. Aboukeila, B.P. Grady, H. Lee, B.N. Bohnstedt, Y. Liu, C.H. Lee “Toward the Development of a Shape Memory Polymer for Individualized Endovascular Therapy of Intracranial Aneurysms Using a 3D-Printing/Leaching Method”, Advanced Engineering Materials, 25, Art. 2300683 (2023).
HY Zhong, Y. Guan, ZS Qiu, BP Grady, J. Su, WA Huang, “Application of carbon coated bentonite composite as an ultra-high temperature filtration reducer in water-based drilling fluid” Journal of Macromolecular Liquids, Art. 121360 (2023).
B.P. Grady “Surfactant Mixtures: A Short Review”, Journal of Surfactants and Detergents, 26, 237-250 (2023).
N. El Choufi, S. Mustapha, A.R. Terhani-Bagha, B.P. Grady “An Overview of Self-Healable Polymers and Recent Advances in the Field”, Macromolecular Rapid Communications, 43, Art. 2200164 (2022)
N. El Choufi, S. Mustapha, A.R. Terhani-Bagha, B.P. Grady, “Self-Healability of Poly(Ethylene-co-Methacrylic Acid): Effect of Ionic Content and Neutralization” Polymers, 14, Art. 3575 (2022).
P. Phaodee, S.T. Adamy, R.T. Zehr, J.H. Harwell, B.P. Grady, “Improved cold-water detergency of malodourous soil correlating with hydrophilic-lipophilic deviation concept”, Journal of Surfactants and Detergents, 25, 265 (2022)
H.Y. Zhong, X.Z. Kong, S.Q. Chen, B.P. Grady, Z.S. Qiu, “Preparation, characterization and filtration control properties of crosslinked starch nanospheres in water-based drilling fluids”, Journal of Molecular Liquids, 325, Art. 115221 (2021).
F. Ide Seyni and B.P. Grady, “Janus Particles as Immiscible Polymer Blend Compatibilizers: A Review”, Colloid and Polymer Science, 299, 585 (2021).
F. Ide Seyni, L. Barrett, S. Crossley and B.P. Grady, “Polystyrene and Poly(methyl methacrylate) Interfaces Reinforced with Diblock Carbon Nanotubes”, Polymer Engineering and Science, 61, 1186 (2021).
L. Barrett, F. Ide Seyni, M.R. Komarneni, J.A. Zapata-Hincapie, D.T. Glatzhofer, B.P. Grady and S. Crossley, “Anisotropically Functionalized Nanotube Anchors for Improving the Mechanical Strength of Immiscible Polymer Composites”, ACS Applied Nano Materials, 4, 580 (2021).
A. Tarhini, A. Terhani-Baga, M. Kazan, B.P. Grady, “The Effect of Graphene Flake size on the Properties of Graphene-Based Polymer Composite Films”, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 138, Art. e49821 (2021).