Centre for Water Soluble Polymers
Our Centre for Water Soluble Polymers focuses on the characterisation, properties and application of polysaccharides and proteins, commonly referred to as hydrocolloids. They are widely used as thickeners, gelling agents, dispersants, emulsifiers and foaming agents in a broad range of industrial formulations including food, pharmaceuticals, personal care and cosmetics. More recently, our research domain has also extended to nanocellulose and other functional materials. The Centre’s particular interests are:
- Chemical and physicochemical characterisation of hydrocolloids, including determination of polymer molecular mass
- Viscosity and viscoelastic properties of hydrocolloid solutions
- Gelation mechanisms and determination of gel characteristics
- Synergistic interactions between hydrocolloids to yield enhanced functionality
- Interfacial properties including the ability of hydrocolloids to stabilise emulsions and foams
We have extensive experience of collaboration with industrial partners, including GlaxoSmithKline, Marks & Spencer, The Findus Group, Innovia Films, Mimica Ltd., San Ei Gen FFI Inc (Japan), DuPont, Unilever, Croda Europe, Seagarden (Norway) and Almac (Northern Ireland). Also we have long-term collaboration with other HEIs in the UK and abroad.
The Centre is well equipped and has a range of specialist techniques available to characterise and evaluate the functional performance of hydrocolloids, including:
- Controlled strain and controlled stress rheometry.
- Extensional rheometry.
- Gel texture analysis.
- Micro-differential scanning calorimetry.
- Photon correlation spectroscopy.
- Laser diffraction.
- Flow particle image analysis.
- Electrophoresis.
- Gel permeation chromatography with multiangle laser light scattering detection.
- MALDI-TOF.
- Isothermal titration calorimetry.
- Static and dynamic surface tensiometry.
Other general instrumentation includes: FTIR, UV spectroscopy, fluorimetry, atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and scanning electron microscopy.
Contact: Dr Jixin Yang jixin.yang@wrexham.ac.uk
Content Accordions
-
Recent updates
The research collaboration on water-soluble polymers and food hydrocolloids between the Applied Science team, led by Dr Jixin Yang, and a group of researchers at Dalian Minzu University, China, has continued to strengthen, delivering an impressive record of joint achievements.
In 2024, the partnership produced seven co-authored research articles in peer-reviewed journals, followed by another seven publications in the first seven months of 2025. Several of these were also co-authored by Professor Pete Williams and PhD student Kev Jones from Applied Science, highlighting the breadth of engagement within the team.
In January 2025, Dr Yang visited Dalian with the support of SLS Staff Research Funding, engaging in in-depth discussions with collaborators on future research directions in materials, green chemistry, and sustainability. This thriving international partnership continues to advance knowledge and drive innovation in sustainable material science.
