Fabrication of Nanoparticle Assemblies in Ordered Polymeric Matrices

由纳米粒子分散体组成的杂化体在绝缘基质中代表了一类新型材料。通过控制纳米颗粒的空间分布，纳米复合材料具有不同寻常的光学、电学和磁学性能。这些可以用于制造下一代器件，例如高密度磁存储材料，分子半导体或光学涂层，对某些波长透明，但对其他波长不透明。该职业奖将研究纳米复合材料的形成、组织和物理性质，纳米复合材料是由嵌入自组织双组分聚合物基质中的周期性调制纳米颗粒阵列制成的，并沉积在固体基质上。纳米粒子的组织和空间分布将通过裁剪宿主聚合物材料的结构特性来调整。特别是，通过使用二嵌段共聚物的混合物（或二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共混物，聚合物基体中的结构特征的尺寸以及由此嵌入的纳米颗粒的分布将分别从几纳米到几微米不等。通过适当调整聚合物的分子参数（分子量、加工温度、共聚物结构和混合物组成）以及调整基质/基质和基质/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。初步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/颗粒相互作用之间的相互作用，以及探索作为主客体性质函数的排序机制。后续的工作将致力于确定新产生的结构的光学、电学、磁和输运性质。该研究项目将辅以全面的教学课程。高分子材料和自组装领域的本科和研究生教育将通过以下方式推进：教授界面高分子科学的实验方法课程（重点是实验技术的能力和应用）；开设材料自组装新课程强调合作学习；并在课堂和实验室中应用多种不同的教学方式。这些教育努力将为学生提供一个机会，拓宽他们的教育范围，学会团队合作，掌握实验和沟通技巧。总体目标是为学生就业或将来的工程研究生学习做好准备

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.***