Dynamic Behavior of Complex Solutions Containing Semiflexible Polymers

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This research focuses on dynamical aspects of rod-bearing polymer solutions. Tracer self-diffusivities of fluorescently tagged rodlike polymers will be measured by fluorescence photobleaching recovery to verify the large data set already obtained via light-scattering methods, and to test existing theories of self diffusion and its relationship to mutual diffusion. Solvent mobility in such solutions will be measured by pulsed-field-gradient nuclear magnetic resonance techniques, in order to account for the increasing resistance offered by solvent as polymer concentration is increased. This will, enable a comparison with theoretical predictions made by Doi and Edwards a decade ago, as well as more recent developments. The diffusion of rigid asymmetric probes through solutions of less stiff polymers will be measured. Finally, an initiative into the behavior of rods with long, flexible sidechains-"furry rods"-is planned. These experiments will open research into the molecular dynamics of rods in the molten state, which relates to the processing of thermotropic liquid crystals.