Magnetic Field Directed Self-Assembly of Conjugated Rod-Coil Block Copolymers

建议编号：CBET-0730062首席研究员：Travis S.Bailey大学/机构：科罗拉多大学标题：磁场引导共轭棒-线圈嵌段共聚物的自组装研究涉及在体相和薄膜环境中可变幅度磁场(0 9.4特斯拉)对共轭棒-线圈嵌段共聚物(RC BCP)自组装形态和磁区取向的影响。设计的研究活动包括理论三维自洽场计算和基于聚(3-己基噻吩基)(P3HT)和聚苯乙炔(PPV)衍生物的合成衍生体系的严格实验分析，是CSU三个教员(Bailey，Wang，Meersman)共同努力的结果。该提案的预期成功是基于教授们已有的经验。Bailey和Wang的嵌段共聚自组装，以及Meersman教授在强磁场仪器方面的专业知识。智力上的功绩。越来越多的证据表明，可控纳米结构对基于共轭聚合物的光电子器件(如LED、太阳能电池、化学和生物传感器)的性能效率至关重要。长期以来，利用BCP的自组装来产生纳米结构一直被认为是高成本光刻工艺的一种有前途的替代方案。然而，在BCP中加入棒状共轭聚合物作为组成嵌段，已经被证明对这类体系的相行为产生了严重的后果，由于对这类材料的合成途径有限，人们对其综合性质仍然知之甚少。然而，随着最近的合成突破打开了基于P3HT和PPV衍生物的共轭BCP的实用途径，系统地拆解这些RC BCP的相行为现在已经成为可能。我们提出的研究是基于理论和实验分析的协同使用，以战略性地阐明这些系统中丰富的行为的复杂性，更重要的是，探索强磁场作为处理工具的潜力，以最大化磁畴排列和最小化这类重要的软材料中的缺陷密度。更广泛的影响。这些关于共轭RC BCP在强磁场存在下的行为的关键基础研究产生的知识范围将对它们集成到一系列重要的技术应用领域产生直接和广泛的影响，包括制造基于聚合物的光伏电池、LED、化学和生物传感器和场效应晶体管。在这份合作提案中聚集的跨学科研究团队(Bailey、Wang和Meersman)代表科罗拉多州立大学的两个系和两个学院。我们的工作范围旨在充分利用我们在合成和物理聚合物化学、计算物理和磁场产生仪器方面的优势。因此，各部门之间的合作将加强和加强全校范围的基础设施，以便今后开展以研究为基础的交叉研究生教育。对现有超导磁体的改进和与这些磁体兼容的惰性气体样品室的设计将为磁场对材料结构影响的一般研究提供持久的能力，而不是与本研究相关的研究。研究活动的结果将通过一系列计划与我们的教育和多样性目标相结合。其中包括定期安排的研究生和本科生水平的研讨会系列，我们两门聚合物科学课程的专题部分，活跃的本科研究计划，以及为地区(科罗拉多州和怀俄明州)高中科学教师举办的关于纳米技术、生物技术和生物材料最新主题的发展研讨会系列。这些项目中的每一个都积极关注最大限度地提高少数群体和代表性不足群体在科学领域的参与度，通过与科罗拉多州立大学杰出的多样性计划密切联系，这些计划包括科罗拉多大学研究生教育和教授计划(AGEP)、路易·斯托克斯科罗拉多少数群体参与联盟(LS CO-AMP)、工程中的妇女和少数群体计划(WMEP)以及我们的妇女工程学会(SWE)学生分会。

Proposal Number: CBET- 0730062Principal Investigator: Travis S. BaileyUniversity/Institution: Colorado St. University Title: Magnetic Field Directed Self-Assembly of Conjugated Rod-Coil Block Copolymers The research concerns the effects of variable magnitude magnetic field (0 9.4 Tesla) on the self-assembled morphology and domain orientation of conjugated rod-coil block copolymers (RC BCPs) in both bulk phase and thin film environments. The designed research activities include both theoretical 3-D self-consistent field calculations and rigorous experimental analysis of synthetically derived systems based on poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and poly(phenylene vinylene) (PPV) derivatives, and are the product of a collaborative effort among three CSU faculty (Bailey, Wang, Meersman). The anticipated success of the proposal is based on the established experience of Profs. Bailey and Wang with block copolymer self-assembly, and the expertise of Prof. Meersman with high magnetic field instrumentation. Intellectual Merit. Mounting evidence continues to highlight the critical importance of controlled nanoscale structure on the performance efficiency of conjugated polymer-based optoelectronic devices, such as LEDs, solar cells, and chemical and biological sensors. Exploiting the self-assembly of BCPs to generate nanoscale structure has long been recognized as a promising alternative to high cost lithographic processes. However, incorporation of rod-like conjugated polymers as constituent blocks in a BCP has been shown to have severe consequences on the phase behavior of such systems, the comprehensive nature of which has remained poorly understood due to limited synthetic access to such materials. However, on the heels of recent synthetic breakthroughs opening practical access to conjugated BCPs based on P3HT and PPV derivatives, the systematic unraveling of the phase behavior of these RC BCPs has now become viable. Our proposed investigations are based on a collaborative use of both theoretical and experimental analysis to strategically elucidate the rich complexity of behavior in these systems, and more importantly, probe the potential of strong magnetic fields as processing tools to maximize domain alignment and minimize defect densities in this important class of soft materials. Broader Impact. The scope of knowledge generated from these critically fundamental studies on the behavior of conjugated RC BCPs in the presence of strong magnetic fields will have direct and broad implications towards their integration into a range of technologically important application areas, including the fabrication of polymer-based photovoltaic cells, LEDs, chemical and biological sensors and field effect transistors. The interdisciplinary team of researchers assembled in this collaborative proposal (Bailey, Wang, and Meersman) represents two departments and two colleges at Colorado State University. The scope of work has been designed to capitalize on our strengths in synthetic and physical polymer chemistry, computational physics, and instrumentation for magnetic field generation. Thus, the collaboration between departments will strengthen and enhance the campus-wide infrastructure for future cross-cutting research-based graduate education. Modifications of existing superconducting magnets and design of inert gas sample chambers compatible with these magnets will provide lasting capabilities for the general study of magnetic field effects on structure in materials beyond those associated with this study. The results of the research activities will be integrated with our educational and diversity goals through a range of programs. These include regularly scheduled graduate and undergraduate level seminar series, special topics sections in our two polymer science courses, active undergraduate research programs, and a developing workshop series for regional (Colorado and Wyoming) high school science teachers on recent topics in nanotechnology, biotechnology, and biomaterials. Each of these programs actively focuses on maximizing participation of minority and underrepresented groups in the sciences, through close ties with CSU's outstanding diversity programs, including the Colorado PEAKS Alliance for Graduate Education and Professoriate Program (AGEP), the Louis Stokes Colorado Alliance for Minority Participation (LS CO-AMP), the Women and Minorities in Engineering Program (WMEP), as well as our student chapter of Society for Women in Engineering (SWE).