Fabrication of Nanoparticle Assemblies in Ordered Polymeric Matrices

9875256基因杂化材料由纳米粒子在绝缘基质中的分散组成，代表了一类新的材料。纳米复合材料具有特殊的光学、电学和磁学性质，其嵌入的纳米颗粒的空间分布受到控制。这些材料可用于制造下一代器件，如高密度磁存储材料、分子半导体或对某些波长透明而对另一些波长不透明的光学涂层。这项职业奖将研究纳米复合材料的形成、组织和物理性能，这些纳米复合材料由周期性调制的纳米颗粒阵列嵌入到沉积在固体基材上的自组织双组分聚合物基质中。纳米粒子的组织和空间分布将通过调整宿主聚合物材料的结构属性来调整。特别是，通过使用两嵌段共聚物的混合物(或两嵌段共聚物和均聚物的混合物)或通过使用横向相分离的聚合物混合物，聚合物基质中的结构特征的尺寸以及嵌入的纳米颗粒的分布将分别从几个纳米到几个微米不等。通过适当调整聚合物的分子参数(相对分子质量、加工温度、共聚物结构和混合物组成)以及调节基质/基材和基质/颗粒界面的相互作用，可以实现对纳米复合材料形态的精细控制。最初的研究工作将集中在研究介观结构的形成和形态，研究聚合物/粒子相互作用之间的相互作用，并探索有序化机制作为主客体属性的函数。随后的工作将致力于确定新生成的结构的光学、电学、磁学和传输特性。%本研究计划将由全面的教学课程来补充。聚合物材料和自组装领域的本科生和研究生教育将通过以下方式推进：教授一门关于界面聚合物科学实验方法的课程(重点是实验技术的能力和应用)；开发一门关于材料自组装的新课程；强调合作学习；在课堂和实验室中应用一些不同的辅导方式。这些教育努力将为学生提供一个扩大教育范围的机会，学习团队合作，掌握实验和沟通技能。总体目标是为学生就业或未来工程学研究生学习做准备。*

9875256GenzerHybrids comprising dispersions of nanoparticles in insulating matrices represent a novel class of materials. Unusual optical, electrical and magnetic properties are expected in nanocomposites with controlled spatial distribution of the embedded nanoparticles. These can be utilized in the fabrication of future generation devices, such as high-density magnetic storage materials, molecular semiconductors, or optical coatings transparent to some wavelengths but opaque to others. This CAREER award will investigate the formation, organization, and physical properties of nanocomposites made of periodically modulated arrays of nanoparticles embedded in self-organized two-component polymer matrices deposited onto solid substrates. The organization and spatial distribution of the nanoparticles will be adjusted by tailoring the structural properties of the host polymer material. In particular, by using mixtures of diblock copolymers (or mixtures of diblock copolymers and homopolymers) or by using laterally phase-separated polymer blends, the dimensions of the structural features in the polymer matrix, and thus the distribution of the embedded nanoparticles, will range from several nanometers to several micrometers, respectively. A fine control over the morphology of the nanocomposite will be achieved by suitably adjusting the molecular parameters of the polymers (molecular weight, processing temperature, copolymer architecture, and mixture composition) and tuning the interactions at the matrix/substrate and matrix/particle interfaces. Initial research efforts will focus on studying the formation and morphology of the mesoscopic structures, investigating the interplay between the polymer/particle interactions, and probing the ordering mechanisms as a function of the host-and guest- properties. Subsequent work will be devoted to determining the optical, electrical, magnetic, and transport properties of the newly generated structures.%%%The research program will be complemented by a comprehensive teaching curriculum. Both undergraduate and graduate education in the areas of polymeric materials and self-assembly will be advanced by: teaching a course about experimental methods in interfacial polymer science (with the emphasis on capabilities and application of experimental techniques); developing a new course on self-assembly in materials; emphasizing cooperative learning; and applying a number of different tutoring styles in the classroom and the laboratory. These educational efforts will offer students an opportunity to broaden their education scope, learn to work in teams, and master experimental and communication skills. The overall goal is to prepare the students for employment or for future graduate studies in engineering.***