Polymerizing Liquids: Structure, Thermodynamics, Kinetics, and Dynamics

Sandra Greer博士得到了理论和计算化学计划的资助，继续她的研究，涉及平衡聚合有机分子的结构、热力学、动力学和动力学。在平衡聚合中，随着聚合温度的降低，单体开始聚合，然后随着温度的进一步降低，单体逐渐长大。如果温度升高，聚合物变短，并最终在通过聚合温度时恢复为单体。平衡聚合体系被称为“活性聚合物”。微观研究将使用中子散射和光散射来研究溶液的结构和聚合物分子在其中的运动。宏观研究将包括热力学性质的表征，如密度、热容、相图以及输送性质，如粘度和应力松弛。%平衡聚合是合成具有独特材料性能的新型聚合物的主要途径。这些系统还为研究聚合物溶液的微观结构作为聚合物相对分子质量的函数提供了一个很好的手段，因为聚合物的尺寸可以通过调节温度来调节。格里尔博士的研究将为活性聚合物系统的动力学和热力学的分子水平解释提供重要的见解。

Dr. Sandra Greer is supported by a grant from the Theoretical and Computational Chemistry Program to continue her research involving structure, thermodynamics, kinetics and dynamics of organic molecules undergoing equilibrium polymerization. In equilibrium polymerization, the monomers begin to polymerize as the temperature is lowered through the polymerization temperature and then grow in length as the temperature is lowered further. If the temperature is raised, the polymers shorten and eventually revert to monomers on passing back through the polymerization temperature. Systems undergoing equilibrium polymerization are referred to as "living polymers". Microscopic studies will employ neutron scattering as well as light scattering to investigate the structure of solutions and the motion of polymer molecules in them. Macroscopic studies will include characterization of thermodynamic properties such as density, heat capacity, phase diagrams as well as transport properties such as viscosity and stress relaxation. %%% Equilibrium polymerization is a major avenue for the synthesis of novel polymers with unique material properties. These systems also provide a wonderful means for studying the microscopic structure of polymer solutions as a function of polymer molecular weight since the polymer size can be regulated by adjusting the temperature. Dr. Greer's research will provide significant insights into the molecular level explanation for the dynamics and thermodynamics of living polymer systems.