The Preparation & Characterization of Refined & Complex Polyolefin Structures

技术概述共聚、复分解、缩聚化学正在被研究，以创建精细、实用的大容量聚合物模型，如低密度聚乙烯、茂金属聚乙烯和聚氯乙烯。这方面研究的目的是为了更好地了解聚合物结构，从而提高世界上体积最大的合成材料（聚烯烃）的性能。工作重点是大分子合成发现研究，包括聚合物结构的基础探索。此外，将采用不同的聚合策略来合成各种复杂的聚烯烃结构：采用非水乳液ADMET化学方法合成核/壳纳米颗粒，采用固态化学方法合成薄膜层叠板，采用双非均相催化剂系统合成纳米聚合物，采用定制的二烯单体合成精密离聚体/羧酸聚合物，采用熔融聚合技术合成肽改性聚烯烃。每一种新材料都代表着发现的机会；它们的具体应用包括前药物输送、组织工程、高强度离聚体、导电聚合物层压板和增强气体输送的材料。非技术概述拟议活动的共同主题是改善一类称为聚烯烃的塑料的性能。在过去的60年里，塑料已经成为一个影响社会上每个人的主要产业，从提供更好的包装到新纺织品，再到在电视、汽车、电脑和医疗设备等复杂应用中发现的尖端技术。事实上，塑料已经成为世界上使用最多的合成材料。这项由美国国家科学基金会支持的研究可以产生新的塑料材料，如生物传感器、轻质导体、高强度纳米复合材料，甚至定制药物。这项工作将在研究生阶段进行，与美国的主要研究机构（宾夕法尼亚大学、佛罗里达州立大学）、日本原子能机构和德国马克斯普朗克聚合物研究所合作。从教育的角度来看，这项研究将加强佛罗里达大学的“佛罗里达机会学者”（ROS）计划。该项目针对的是家庭中第一代上大学的本科生，家庭收入低于4万美元。其目标是吸引这些有才华但处于劣势的学生进入科学和工程领域。

TECHNICAL SUMMARYCopolymerization metathesis polycondensation chemistry is being pursued to create refined, practical models of high-volume polymers such as low density polyethylene, metallocene polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride. The objective of this aspect of the research is to better understand polymer structure and thus enhance the performance of the world's largest volume synthetic material (polyolefins). The effort focuses on macromolecular synthesis discovery research, including fundamental exploration of polymer structure.In addition, different metathesis polymerization strategies will be employed to synthesize a variety of complex polyolefin structures: core/shell nanoparticles using nonaqueous emulsion ADMET chemistry, thin film laminates via solid state metathesis chemistry, nanoblends using dual heterogeneous catalyst systems, precision ionomers/carboxylic acid polymers using tailored diene monomers, and peptide modified polyolefins using melt polymerization techniques. Each of these new materials represents opportunity for discovery; specific applications targeted for them include pro-drug delivery, tissue engineering, high strength ionomers, conductive polymer laminates, and materials offering enhanced gas transport.NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARYThe common theme for the proposed activity is to improve the behavior of a class of plastics known as polyolefins. During the past 60 years plastics have become a major industry that affects everyone in society from providing better packaging to new textiles to cutting edge technologies found in sophisticated applications such as televisions, cars, computers, and medical devices. In fact, plastics have become the most used synthetic material in the world. This NSF supported research can lead to new plastic materials such as biosensors, lightweight conductors, high strength nanocomposites, even tailored pharmaceuticals. The work will be conducted at the graduate research level in collaboration with major research facilities in the USA (at University of Pennsylvania, Florida State University) as well as the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, and the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in Germany.From an educational perspective, the research will enhance the "Florida Opportunity Scholars" (ROS) program at the University of Florida. This program targets undergraduate students who are the first generation in their families to attend a university and is available when family income is less than $40,000. The goal is to attract these talented yet disadvantaged students into the fields of science and engineering.