Self-Assembly of Diblock Copolymer-Based Supramolecule Thin Films at Two Length Scales

嵌段共聚物和小分子的协同组装结合了(a)嵌段共聚物的可能性和纳米级自组装和(b)丰富的化学功能和小分子的分子组装，可以导致分层功能材料。对基于二嵌段共聚物的超分子在薄膜中的组装过程以及二嵌段共聚物与两种不同长度尺度上的小分子的组装过程之间的相互作用将有一个基本的了解。具体的努力将集中在薄膜中存在小分子时嵌段共聚物的相行为和嵌段共聚物微域内小分子的自组装及其对薄膜中共聚物微域取向的影响。所提出的研究为我们现有的软材料分层组装知识增加了一个新的维度，并将提高我们对两种不同长度尺度（即几十纳米和亚纳米（分子）水平）的自组装过程之间相互作用的理解。由于内置功能可以很容易地合并，并且支撑协同作用的基本原理是一般的，因此所提出的研究将为功能分层薄膜材料开辟新的途径。纳米结构的可视化有效地展示了聚合物科学和纳米科学之间的桥梁，并将刺激观众。对基础科学的兴趣。超分子组装产生了大量不同长度尺度的迷人图像库。将制定计划，利用这些图像在不同的非技术群体中推广聚合物科学。在本提案的供资期间，将在以下三个领域展开努力。1. 对于本科生和研究生，高分子材料课程将开发课程模块，以培养不同背景的学生。对于来自代表性不足群体的有抱负的学生，将创造夏季研究机会。学生将收集实验图像，以帮助他们的同龄人了解聚合物科学。对于普通大众，将在西海岸启动一项种子计划，以促进利用艺术的科学。

The synergistic assembly of block copolymers and small molecules combines (a) the possibility and nanoscopic self-assembly of block copolymers and (b) the rich chemical functionality and molecular assembly of small molecule which can lead to hierarchical functional materials. A fundamental understanding will be developed on the assembly processes of diblock copolymer-based supramolecules in thin films and the interplay between the assembly processes of diblock copolymer and the small molecules on two different length scales. Specifically efforts will focus on the phase behavior of block copolymers in the presence of small molecules in thin film and the self assembly of the small molecules within the bock copolymer microdomains and their effect on the copolymer microdomain orientation in thin films.The proposed studies add a new dimension to our existing knowledge of hierarchical assembly of soft materials and will improve our understanding of the interplay between self-assembly processes of two different length scales namely tens of nanometer and sub-nanometer (molecular) level. Since the built-in functionalities can be readily incorporated and the fundamental principles underpinning the synergy are general, the proposed studies will open mew avenues to functional hierarchical thin film materials.%%%Visualization of nanostructures effectively demonstrates the bridge between polymer science and nanoscience and will stimulate viewers? interests in fundamental sciences. Supramolecular assemblies produce a large library of fascinating images at different length scales. Programs will be developed to use these images to promote polymer science among different non-technical groups. During the funding period of this proposal, efforts will be initiated in the following three areas. 1. For undergraduate and graduate students, class modules will be developed for the polymeric materials course to educate students with different backgrounds.2. For aspiring students from under-represented groups, summer research opportunities will be crated. The students will collect images from his/her experiments to help their peers appreciate polymer science.3. For the general public, a seed program will be initiated on the West Coast to promote science using arts.