Materials World Network: Design of Responsive Materials via Mixed Polymer Brush Approach

这项工作的重点是化学设计和表征新的响应纳米结构材料，即由混合聚合物刷制成的超薄膜，具有可控和可变的亲水/疏水/位/离子相互作用。为了实现该项目的目标，已经组建了一个在该领域具有互补专业知识的美德专家小组。该团队包括：I. Luzinov（克莱姆森大学，合成（混合）聚合物刷）；S. Minko（克拉克森大学，混合聚合物刷的性能/应用）；M. Stamm（德累斯顿工业大学和莱布尼茨聚合物研究所，蛋白质吸附在混合聚合物刷上）；M. miller（格廷根大学，混合刷理论建模）；k . Hinrichs / N。埃塞尔和k - j。Eichhorn（柏林分析科学研究所，用光谱椭偏法研究电刷）。基于聚合物物理、化学合成和自组装的创造性结合，研究人员提出了一种制造智能响应材料的新途径，这种材料具有切换相互作用和根据外部信号（如pH值、离子强度、温度和水环境中的电势）调整其界面化学成分的能力。以具有不同化学结构和尺寸的功能聚合物为原料，设计出具有智能性能的聚合物薄膜。这项工作将研究如何定制合成材料表面的关键问题，这些材料可以(1)在水环境中轻松有效地与胶体/纳米颗粒以及生物系统（蛋白质和细胞）建立所需的相互作用水平；(2)在很大范围内改变对外部信号的相互作用。这项研究的成功完成将对材料科学产生广泛的影响，因为表面和界面的组成和行为在决定大多数材料和设备的整体效率方面起着关键作用。拟议项目的另一个重点是让最聪明的高中生、本科生和研究生参与现代表面科学和纳米技术研究。该项目将培养纳米结构材料表面改性和表征方面的学生。学生也将从美国和德国研究机构之间的合作中受益匪浅，因为他们将积极参与项目框架内计划的国际研究合作。

The focus of this work is on chemical design and characterization of novel responsive nanostructured materials, namely ultrathin films made of mixed polymer brushes, with controlled and variable hydrophilic/hydrophobic/ steric/inonic interactions. To accomplish the objectives of the project a US-German team of specialists possessing complementary expertise in the area has been assembled. The team includes: I. Luzinov (Clemson University, synthesis of (mixed) polymer brushes); S. Minko (Clarkson University, properties/applications of mixed polymer brushes); M. Stamm (Dresden Technical University and Leibniz-Institute for Polymer Research Dresden, protein adsorption onto the mixed polymer brushes); M. Mller (University of Gttingen, theoretical modeling of the mixed brushes); K. Hinrichs/N. Esser and K.-J. Eichhorn (Institute for Analytical Sciences in Berlin, study of the brushes with spectroscopic ellipsometry). Based on a creative combination of polymer physics, chemical synthesis, and self-assembly, the investigators propose a novel route for the fabrication of smart responsive materials with the ability to switch interactions and to adapt their interfacial chemical composition upon external signals such as pH, ionic strength, temperature, and electrical potential in aqueous environment. The thin polymer films with smart properties will be especially designed from functional polymers with different chemical architecture and size. This work will examine the critical question of how to tailor surface of synthetic materials which can (1) easily and effectively establish a desired level of interactions with colloidal/nano particles as well as biological systems (proteins and cells) in aqueous environment; (2) change the interaction over a broad range upon an external signal.Successful completion of this proposed research will have broad impact on materials science, since the composition and behavior of surfaces and interfaces plays a pivotal role in dictating the overall efficiency of most materials and devices. Another priority of the proposed project is involvement of the brightest high-school, undergraduate and graduate students in modern surface science and nanotechnology research. The project will result in the training of students in the area of surface modification and characterization of nanostructured materials. Students also will greatly benefit from collaboration between US and German research institutions, as they will be actively involved in international research collaborations planned within the framework of the project.