NER: Nano-Composites Derived from Melt Blending an Ionomer and a Thermotropic Liquid Crystalline Polymer

该提案是响应纳米尺度科学与工程计划（NSF 01-157）而收到的，类别：NER。本研究项目旨在了解热致液晶聚合物（TLCP）和磺化聚苯乙烯离聚物熔融复合过程中纳米复合材料的形成。当离聚体的锌盐与TLCP在高强度熔体混合器中高温混合时，会出现均匀的、随机分散在离聚体基体中的矩形棱柱状TLCP纳米晶体的自组装。这些材料代表了一种潜在的商品，熔融可加工纳米复合材料替代短纤维增强热塑性塑料或硅酸盐粘土纳米复合材料。虽然纳米晶体的形成是稳定的和可复制的，但纳米晶体的来源和组成尚不清楚。本研究主要有以下四个目标：1)确定纳米晶体的来源，包括其组成和结构；2)确定TLCP/SPS离聚体纳米复合材料中纳米晶体的增强程度；3)评估是否可以用其他磺化聚合物（例如磺化聚醚酮酮）或聚乙酰亚胺离聚物)创建类似的纳米复合材料；以及4)评估TLCP/SPS纳米复合材料是否可以与第三种聚合物混合，以第三种聚合物为主要成分生产纳米复合材料。除了包括在预算中的博士后研究助理外，研究生和本科生也将参与这项研究。研究结果将发表在科学期刊上，并在国家科学会议上发表。本科学生将在学年期间通过独立学习或作为REU学生参加。关于“大分子工程”的研究项目已提交给NSF，该研究项目符合正在提出的“大分子工程”研究项目的范围。该项目将特别针对代表性不足的少数民族学生。将开发一个关于聚合物科学（包括纳米技术）的讲座和示范教学模块。这将提供给高中和主要是本科学院的学生和教师。编写的教材将提供给这些机构的教员。研究合作也将与主要本科院校的科学和工程学院建立。工业界将通过联合项目（美国康涅狄格大学材料科学研究所的一个工业外展项目）接触到研究成果。

The proposal was received in response to the nanoscale science and engineering initiative (NSF 01-157), category: NER. This research project is directed at developing an understanding of the formation of nanocomposite during melt compounding of blend of a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP) and a sulfonated polystyrene ionomer. Self-assembly of uniform, rectangular prism-shaped TLCP nano-crystals randomly dispersed in the ionomer matrix occurs when the zinc salt of the ionomer and the TLCP are mixed at elevated temperatures in an intensive melt mixer. These materials represent a potential commodity, melt processable nanocomposite alternative to short fiber-reinforced thermoplastics or silicate-clay nanocomposites. Although the formation of the nano-crystals is robust and reproducible, the origin and composition of the nano-crystals are not known. The proposed research has the following four objectives: l) determine the origin of the nano-crystals, including their composition and structure; 2) determine the extent of reinforcement offered by the nano-crystals in TLCP/SPS ionomer nanocomposites; 3) assess whether similar nanocomposites may be created with other sulfonated polymers, e.g., sulfonated poly(ether ketone ketone) or poly(etherimide ionomers; and 4) assess whether TLCP/SPS nanocomposites may be blended with a third polymer to produce a nanocomposite with the third polymer as the majority component.In addition to the post-doctoral research associate included in the budget, graduate and undergraduate students will also be involved with this research. The results will be published in scientific journals and presented at national scientific meetings. Undergraduate students will participate either through independent studies during the academic year or as REU students. An IGERT on "Engineering of Macromolecules" has been submitted to NSF, and this research project fits within the scope of the IGERT program being proposed. Under-represented minority students will be especially targeted for involvement in the project. A lecture and demonstrations teaching module about polymer science, including nanotechnology, will be developed. That will be offered to students and faculty at high schools and primarily undergraduate colleges. The teaching material developed will be made available to the faculty at those institutions. Research collaborations will also be established with science and engineering faculty at primarily undergraduate institutions. Industry will be exposed to the results of the research through the Associates Program, an industrial outreach program in the Institute of Materials Science at the University of Connecticut.