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的自组装，以及(B)小分子丰富的化学功能和分子组装，这可能导致分级功能材料。将对两嵌段共聚物超分子在薄膜中的组装过程以及两种不同长度尺度上两嵌段共聚物与小分子组装过程之间的相互作用有一个基本的了解。具体地说，我们的工作将集中在嵌段共聚物在薄膜中小分子存在时的相行为和Bock共聚物微区内小分子的自组装以及它们对薄膜中共聚物微区取向的影响。所提出的研究为我们现有的软材料分级组装的知识增加了一个新的维度，并将加深我们对两种不同长度尺度的自组装过程之间相互作用的理解，即几十纳米和亚纳米(分子)水平。由于内置的功能可以很容易地结合在一起，并且支持协同作用的基本原理是通用的，因此拟议的研究将为功能分级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。超分子组装产生了一个巨大的不同长度尺度的令人着迷的图像库。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。在本提案的资助期内，将在以下三个方面作出努力。1.针对本科生和研究生，将为聚合物材料课程开发课堂模块，以教育不同背景的学生。对于来自代表性不足群体的有抱负的学生来说，暑期研究机会将被放在板条箱里。学生们将从他/她的实验中收集图像，帮助他们的同龄人欣赏聚合物科学。对于普通公众，将在西海岸启动一个种子计划，以促进使用艺术的科学。

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.