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

提案编号：CBET-0730062主要研究者：Travis S.贝利大学/机构：科罗拉多圣大学名称： 磁场引导的共轭棒状-线圈嵌段共聚物的自组装研究关注的变化幅度的磁场（0 - 9.4特斯拉）的共轭棒状-线圈嵌段共聚物（RC BCP）的自组装形态和域取向的影响，在体相和薄膜环境。设计的研究活动包括理论的3-D自洽场计算和严格的实验分析的合成衍生系统的基础上聚（3-己基噻吩）（P3 HT）和聚（亚苯基乙烯基）（PPV）衍生物，是三个CSU教师（贝利，王，Meersman）之间的合作努力的产物。该建议的预期成功是基于教授的既定经验。贝利和王与嵌段共聚物自组装，和专业知识的教授Meersman与高磁场仪器。智力优势。越来越多的证据继续强调受控纳米级结构对基于共轭聚合物的光电器件（例如LED、太阳能电池以及化学和生物传感器）的性能效率的至关重要性。利用BCP的自组装来产生纳米级结构一直被认为是高成本光刻工艺的有前途的替代方案。然而，棒状共轭聚合物作为嵌段共聚物中的组成嵌段的结合已被证明对此类体系的相行为具有严重后果，由于此类材料的合成途径有限，其综合性质仍然知之甚少。然而，在最近的合成突破打开实际访问共轭BCP的基础上P3 HT和PPV衍生物，这些RC BCP的相行为的系统解开现在已经变得可行。我们提出的研究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行为的丰富复杂性，更重要的是，探索强磁场作为加工工具的潜力，以最大限度地提高畴排列并最大限度地降低缺陷密度这一类重要的软材料。更广泛的影响。从这些关于共轭RC BCP在强磁场存在下的行为的关键基础研究中产生的知识范围将对它们集成到一系列技术重要的应用领域中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，化学和生物传感器以及场效应晶体管。在这个合作的建议（贝利，王，和Meersman）的研究人员组成的跨学科团队代表两个部门和两个学院在科罗拉多州立大学。工作范围旨在利用我们在合成和物理聚合物化学，计算物理和磁场生成仪器方面的优势。因此，部门之间的合作将加强和提高未来跨领域的研究生教育的校园范围内的基础设施。修改现有的超导磁体和设计与这些磁体兼容的惰性气体样品室将提供持久的能力，一般研究磁场对材料结构的影响超出了与本研究相关的。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。这些包括定期安排的研究生和本科生水平的系列研讨会，在我们的两个聚合物科学课程，积极的本科生研究计划，专题部分，并为区域（科罗拉多和怀俄明州）高中科学教师在纳米技术，生物技术和生物材料的最新主题的一个发展中的研讨会系列。这些计划中的每一个都积极关注少数民族和代表性不足的群体在科学领域的最大化参与，通过与CSU杰出的多样性计划的密切联系，包括科罗拉多PEAKS研究生教育和教授计划联盟（AGEP），路易斯斯托克斯科罗拉多少数民族参与联盟（LS CO-AMP），妇女和少数民族在工程计划（WMEP），以及我们的社会妇女在工程（SWE）的学生章。

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).