Dendritic Macromolecules at Interfaces

这个项目的最终目标是了解单树的界面行为和微观结构，以便将这些分子固定在界面上。PI将筛选各种分子参数，包括单树的代数、末端基团的类型、间隔基的长度、锚基的性质以及官能化底物的类型，以寻找稳定的有序界面组装。这些树枝状大分子能够在与用于化学结合到功能修饰表面的焦点锚定基团的界面上形成有序和稳定的超分子结构。本项目将利用朗缪尔技术、化学自组装和静电自组装技术，结合椭偏仪、X射线散射、紫外光谱和扫描探针显微镜的综合表征，研究气-液、气-固、液-固界面的界面有序性和表面行为。本项目的重点是从树枝状大分子制备具有分子定制表面性质的纳米复合薄膜的纳米技术。树枝状聚合物是功能超分子材料的候选材料，在药物输送、分子包衣、纳米化学、分子复合材料、光捕获等领域具有广阔的应用前景。开发这类应用的一个关键步骤是了解这些大分子如何以可控的方式固定在固体基质上。

The ultimate goal of this project is to understand that interfacial behavior and microstructure of monodendrons in order to immobilize these molecules on an interface. The PI is going to screen various molecular parameters including a generation number of monodendrons, type of terminal groups, spacer length, nature of anchoring groups, and type of functionalized substrates in a search for stable organized interfacial assemblies. These dendrimer macromolecules could be capable of forming organized and stable supramolecular structures at interfaces with the focal anchoring group used for chemical binding to functionally modified surfaces. Interfacial ordering and surface behavior at air-liquid, air-solid, and liquid-solid interfaces will be studied by Langmuir techniques, chemical and electrostatic self-assembly in conjunction with comprehensive characterization with ellipsometry, X-ray scattering, UV spectroscopy, and scanning probe microscopy.This project focuses on the nanotechnology for fabrication of nanocomposite films with molecularly tailored surface properties from dendrimers. Dendrimer polymers with a tree-like architecture are promising candidates for functional supramolecular materials with prospective applications in the fields of drug delivery, molecular coatings, nanochemistry, molecular composites, and light harvesting. A critical step in the development of such applications is the understanding of how these macromolecules can be anchored to solid substrates in a controllable manner.