RUI: Studies of Copolymer Additive Effects on Polymer Blends Using Scattering and Microscopy Techniques

技术摘要：作为本科研究机构（RUI）奖的一部分，这项研究将研究共聚物添加剂对聚合物共混物的相界和相分离动力学的影响。所使用的共聚物添加剂在组成和拓扑结构上各不相同，主要有双嵌段、多嵌段和星形共聚物。这项研究将扩大对这些添加剂对体共混体系的影响的理解，并有助于对薄膜中聚合物共混增容的相对较少的现有研究。随着添加剂对聚合物共混物影响的增加，新知识可以应用于工业系统，最终导致聚合物共混材料的加工和性能的改善。这项研究将在一个以本科生为主的机构进行，为至少9名本科生提供研究经验。提出的研究建立在以前的结果，这表明共聚物添加剂可以用来影响平衡和动力学性质的共混物。本研究中使用的共聚物的拓扑结构和单体组成将加强和补充以前的工作，并与工业利益建立强大的交叉联系。模型体系是聚丁二烯和聚苯乙烯均聚物的共混体系，添加剂将是丁二烯和苯乙烯的共聚物。研究将使用光散射和中子散射来研究聚合物共混体系，而原子力显微镜将用于研究薄膜中的聚合物共混增容。蒙特卡罗计算机模拟和使用合成技术（例如，活自由基和复分解以及阴离子）将用于加强研究。外展活动也将包括在内，为代表性不足的学生提供机会，并与社区大学建立联系。从手机壳、环保屋顶材料到汽车的关键部件，高性能塑料在我们社会的许多方面都是不可或缺的。作为美国国家科学基金会本科院校研究奖的一部分，这项研究将有助于增加我们对如何制造具有定制性能的这些材料的基础知识，并可能最终提高制造具有特定性能的新塑料的能力。本科生将是这项研究的主要参与者，为他们提供重要的经验，并促进他们进入后学士学位教育以及科学工作队伍。这个奖项也将有利于主办机构的教育工作。推广活动还包括将来自当地数学，工程和科学成就（MESA）项目的代表性不足的高中生带到我们的实验室参加聚合物材料研讨会。此外，首席研究员将与当地社区大学的教师合作，为他们的学生介绍纳米技术和材料科学。

TECHNICAL SUMMARYThe research to be conducted as part of this Research in Undergraduate Institution (RUI) award will investigate the influence of copolymer additives on the phase boundary and phase separation kinetics of polymer blends. The copolymer additives used will vary in composition and topology focused on diblock, multiblock, and star copolymers. This research will expand the understanding regarding the effects these additives have on bulk blend systems, and contribute to the relatively few existing studies of polymer blend compatibilization in thin films. As the effects of additives on polymer blends increases, new knowledge can be applied to industrial systems, ultimately leading to improved processing and performance of polymer blend materials. The research will take place in a predominantly undergraduate institution, providing research experiences for at least nine undergraduate students. The proposed research builds on previous results, which have demonstrated that copolymer additives can be used to affect equilibrium and kinetic properties of blends. The topology and monomer composition of the copolymers used in this study will enhance and complement previous work, as well as make strong crossover connections to industrial interests. The model system is a blend of polybutadiene and polystyrene homopolymers, and the additives will be copolymers of butadiene and styrene. Studies will be done using light and neutron scattering for polymer blend systems in the bulk while atomic force microscopy will be used to investigate polymer blend compatibilization in thin films. Monte Carlo computer simulation, and the use of synthetic techniques (e.g., living free radical and metathesis as well as anionic) will be used to enhance the research. Outreach activities will also be included that provide opportunities for underrepresented students and for interfacing with community colleges.NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARYHigh performance plastics are integral to many aspects of our society from cell phone cases, environmentally friendly roofing materials, to critical components in automobiles. The research to be conducted as part of this NSF Research in Undergraduate Institutions award will help increase our fundamental knowledge of how to make these kinds of materials with tailored properties and may eventually lead to an increased ability to manufacture new plastics with specific properties. Undergraduate students will be the primary participants in this research giving them vital experience and facilitating their movement into post-baccalaureate education as well as in the scientific work force. This award will also be beneficial to the educational efforts of the host institution. Outreach activities are also included that bring underrepresented high school students from a local Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA) program to our labs for a polymer materials workshop. Additionally, the principal investigator will work with faculty from local community colleges to bring presentations on nanotechnology and materials science to their students.