Two-Dimensional Polymerizations in Supramolecular Assemblies

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9400369 O'Brien Several methods to polymerize supramolecular assemblies were introduced in the last decade. Many of these assemblies, e.g. monolayers, liposomes, and multilayers, are two-dimensional arrays of amphiphiles. Success in the design and reproducible preperation of new materials from these assemblies requires a clear understanding of the polymerization processes. The previous studies suppported by NSF-DMR have successfully provided a basic understanding of the nature of linear polymerizations of amphiphiles in the supramolecular fast-diffusion regime. The new research to be carried over will characterize crosslinking polymerizations as well as polymerizations in the slow-diffusion regime. Methods developed in this laboratory will be used to characterize the efficiency of crosslinking in two-dimensional assemblies with newly designed bifunctional molecules. The rate and degree of polymerization in bilayers will be compared at temperatures above (fast diffusion) and below (slow diffusion) the main-phase transition temperature of the bilayer assembly. These results of these studies on bilayers will be used to design new monomers for the polymerization of other supramolecular, e.g. discotic liquid crystals. %%% The polymerization of supramolecular assemblies provides an effective means to modify their chemical and physical properties to prepare novel materials with particular properties of interest to both biological and material sciences. The research to date indicates that polymerized supramolecular assemblies are likely to find utility in diagnostics, in the controlled delivery of reagents and drugs, in the design and preparation of stable assemblies for the efficient transduction of light energy, in surface modification, and for the stabilization of organic zeolites. ***