The Physical Chemistry of Living Polymer Solutions

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In this project in the Physical Chemistry Program of the Chemistry Division Sandra Greer of the Department of Chemical Engineering of the University of Maryland- College Park will continue her research on the nature of the phase transitions of polymers and equilibrium reversible polymerization, in which the monomers undergo a reversible chemical reaction to form polymers. In this project microscopic and macroscopic experimental methods will be used to study the energy changes, the structural changes, and the details of the approach to equilibrium near the critical point. The microscopic studies will use neutron scattering to investigate the structure of the solutions and the motion of the polymers in them. The macroscopic studies will include measurements of equilibrium properties such as density, heat capacity, phase diagrams, kinetic rate constants and transport properties such as viscosity. These studies in reversible polymerization are of relevance for understanding the mechanism of polymer formation in systems of technological and biological interest.