Mechanisms of Polymerization in the Gas Phase, in Clusters and on Nanoparticle Surfaces

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In this project, funded by the Experimental Physical Chemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Prof. El-Shall of the Virginia Commonwealth University will conduct research on the mechanisms, structures, and kinetics of the early stages of cationic, radical, and metal catalyzed radical polymerization in the gas phase, in clusters, and on nanoparticle surfaces. The proposed work has three objectives: 1) to determine the structures of growing oligomers in the gas phase and in clusters, and of bulk polymers on the surfaces of nanoparticle catalysts; 2) to characterize the mechanisms, reactivity, kinetics, and temperature dependencies of polymerization and copolymerization reactions in the gas phase and in clusters; and 3) to investigate the mechanisms of metal-catalyzed polymerization, to characterize the metal-ion-organic intermediates, and to explore the design of efficient nanoparticle catalysts for better control of the polymerization products including metal/polymer nanocomposites. Graduate and undergraduate students will participate in this research. Teaching and research will be integrated in the university's chemistry curriculum, and a rich outreach program will include teachers and students in the K-12 levels.