RUI: Blending Polymers: The Influence of Copolymer Additives on Phase Separation Behavior

开发具有特定性能的新型聚合物基材料通常是通过混合现有材料来尝试的。成功的混合通常是具有挑战性的，并且为了帮助混合，通常引入添加剂以尝试使混合物相容。由于对不同添加剂的作用有了更好的了解，这些知识可以应用于工业系统，目的是改善聚合物基材料的加工和性能。本研究计划研究三元平衡热力学性质，以及共聚物添加剂如何影响相演化，从而影响聚合物共混相容性。研究将在一个以本科生为主的机构（PUI）进行，为本科生提供研究经验。这项工作建立在先前的结果之上，这些结果表明共聚物添加剂可以通过多种方式来调整共混物的平衡和动力学特性。本研究对共聚物的结构和单体组成进行了补充。具体的实验三元体系是聚丁二烯，聚苯乙烯，以及丁二烯和苯乙烯共聚物的共混物。这些系统将使用云点测量、温度跳变广角光散射、小角中子散射（SANS）和动态光散射技术进行实验研究。最后，Monte Carol计算机模拟技术将被用于模拟实验聚合物系统的平衡设置和动力学情况。该提案包括支持NSF更广泛影响标准的部分。本科研究生将接受指导，进行可发表的研究，这些经验可以带着他们进入未来的追求，无论是在学术研究，健康相关领域，工业，还是教育。研究经历也是学生本科教育的重要组成部分，我们化学系将研究融入课程。首席研究员还通过对原子转移自由基聚合等当前合成技术的动力学研究，以及使用静态和动态光散射研究大分子体系，将丰富的研究活动纳入物理化学课程。我们还将开展活动，邀请来自当地数学、工程和科学成就（MESA）项目的代表性不足的高中生到我们的实验室参加研讨会。本科研究生将通过实验学习活动指导高中生学习高分子科学。本科生参加这个工作坊符合我校对学生服务活动的兴趣。

The development of new polymer-based materials with tailored properties is often attempted through the mixing of currently existing materials. Successful mixing has often been challenging to accomplish and to aid in the mixing an additive is commonly introduced in an attempt to compatibilize the blends. As the effects of different additives are better understood, the knowledge can be applied to industrial systems with the aim of improving the processing and performance of polymer-based materials. The research plan of this Research in Undergraduate Institution (RUI) proposal investigates ternary equilibrium thermodynamic properties and how copolymer additive can influence phase evolution and consequently polymer blend compatibilities. The research will take place in a predominantly undergraduate institution (PUI) providing research experiences for undergraduate students. This works builds on previous results, which demonstrate that copolymer additives can be used to tailor equilibrium and kinetic properties of blends in a number of ways. The structure and monomer composition of the copolymers in this study will complement previous work. The specific experimental ternary system is a blend of polybutadiene, polystyrene, and copolymers of butadiene and styrene. These systems will be studied experimentally using cloud point measurements, temperature jump wide-angle light scattering, small angle neutron scattering (SANS), and dynamic light scattering techniques. Lastly, Monte Carol computer simulation techniques will be employed to model the experiemental polymer systems both in equilibrium settings and kinetic situations. The proposal includes components that support the NSF criteria of broader impacts. Undergraduate reseach students will be tutored in conducting publishable research where these experiences can be carried with them into future pursuits whether those are in academic research, health related fields, industry, or education. The research experience is also an important part of the student's undergraduate education where our chemistry department integrates reseach into the curriculum. The principal investigator also is incorporating research-rich activities into the physical chemistry curriculum through kinetic studies of current synthetic techniques like atom transfer radical polymerization and using static and dynamic light scattering to study macromolecular systems. Activities will also be pursued which bring underrepresented high school students from a local Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA) program into our labs for a workshop. The undergraduate research students will mentor the high school students on polymer science through experimental learning activities. The undergraduate participation in this workshop is in accord with our university's interest in service activities for students.