Filler-Induced Modulation of Texture Evolution in Block Copolymer Blend Materials

技术研究计划的目标是了解均聚物和电解液添加剂对嵌段共聚材料织构形成的影响，并确定填料颗粒形状对嵌段共聚/纳米粒子共混物织构形成的影响。具体地说，本程序将解决以下问题：(1)焓相互作用对均聚物填料晶界偏析过程的意义是什么，以及焓相互作用如何影响填料组分稳定晶界结构的能力？(2)填料种类对晶界形成过程的影响在多大程度上符合普遍原则？(3)是否有可能通过添加呈现缺陷几何形状匹配的填料颗粒来选择性地稳定特定的晶界结构？晶界歧视对嵌段共聚物/纳米颗粒共混物的织构演化有什么意义？最终，该计划旨在为未来合理设计嵌段共聚纳米复合材料提供关键的知识基础，这些材料具有与从微制造或光学涂层到能量存储和转换材料等一系列变革性技术应用相关的量身定制的性能。拟议的研究将涉及实验和表征技术，这些技术是对卡内基梅隆大学现有技术的补充，将有益于匹兹堡地区更广泛的聚合物社区。非技术性本建议的目的是了解控制嵌段共聚杂化材料结构形成的主导参数。这些材料能够自组织成功能纳米结构的层次结构，在从用于下一代锂离子电池的聚合物膜到高性能聚合物光伏材料的应用中具有技术相关性。该项目的具体目标是开发工艺来控制这些纳米结构中缺陷的形成，这是嵌段共聚杂化材料未来技术开发的关键要求。该计划将加强两个聚合物课程的教学，并为一名研究生和几名本科研究人员提供聚合物和纳米材料关键领域的培训。与佛罗里达农工大学研究人员正在进行的合作将被用来加强少数族裔学生在该项目中的参与。通过客座讲座和演示，主题为纳米结构材料？该项目还将致力于激励匹兹堡东自由学区的初高中学生在与STEM相关的地区接受高等教育。

TECHNICAL The objective of the proposed research program is to understand the implications of homopolymer and electrolyte additives on the texture formation in block copolymer materials, and to establish the effect of filler particle shape on texture formation in block copolymer/nanoparticle blends. Specifically, this program will address the following questions: (1) What is the significance of enthalpic interactions on the grain boundary segregation process of homopolymer fillers and how does enthalpic interaction affect the capacity of a filler component to stabilize grain boundary structures? (2) To what extent does the effect of filler species on the grain boundary formation process obey universal principles? (3) Is it possible to selectively stabilize particular grain boundary structures by addition of filler particles that exhibit defect geometry-matched crystal shapes and what is the implication of grain boundary discrimination on the texture evolution of block copolymer/nanoparticle blends? Ultimately, this program aims to contribute to the knowledge-base that will be critical for the future rational design of block copolymer nanocomposite materials with tailored properties that are relevant to a host of transformative technology applications ranging from microfabrication or optical coatings to materials for energy storage and conversion. The proposed research will involve experimental and characterization techniques that are complementary to existing techniques at Carnegie Mellon University and that will be beneficial to the wider polymer community in the Pittsburgh area.NON-TECHNICAL The aim of this proposal is to understand the governing parameters that control structure formation in block copolymer-hybrid materials. These are materials that are capable of the self-organization into a hierarchy of functional nanostructures that are of technological relevance in applications ranging from polymer membranes for next-generation lithium ion batteries to high-performance polymer photovoltaic materials. The particular goal of this project is to develop processes to control the formation of defects in these nanostructures, a key requirement for the future technological exploitation of block copolymer hybrid materials. The program will enhance the teaching of two polymer classes and provide training for one graduate and several undergraduate researchers in the critical area of polymer and nanoscale materials. Ongoing collaborations with researchers at Florida A&M University will be leveraged to enhance participation of minority students within the program. By virtue of guest lectures and demonstrations on the particular topic of ?Nanostructured Materials? this project will furthermore aim to stimulate students of middle and high schools in the East Liberty School district of Pittsburgh to pursue higher education in STEM related areas.