Synthesis and Characterization of Melt Stable Polyacrylonitrile Copolymers and Blends

本研究将为熔融稳定的聚丙烯腈（PAN）共聚物和与聚环氧乙烷（PEO或PEG）的共混物的合成、表征、加工和性能验证提供科学和技术基础。 这些系统将首次提供有价值的纤维、薄膜和模塑制品，这些制品将具有熔融制造所提供的无溶剂、环境吸引力。 该项目将主要集中在丙烯腈与含离子共聚单体和甲基丙烯酸酯官能化聚（环氧乙烷）大分子单体低聚物的经典自由基统计共聚。 它们可以在DMSO中以高分子量有效地制备。 将测量共聚物和共混物的流变性质作为温度、时间和剪切速率的函数，以确认这些系统的热塑性性质并确定组成限制。 非技术总结该奖项是基于对可持续的、环保的、先进的高分子材料系统的日益增长的需求，这些高分子材料系统用于高性能薄膜和纤维应用，从能源到包装材料和废水净化系统以及聚合物基碳复合材料--后者对航空航天、运输和风力发电感兴趣。 第一优先权将是研究可熔融加工的系统，并允许非常低的气体渗透性和熔纺丙烯酸纤维。 这些材料将为纺织品合成和生产开辟广阔的新前景，这在美国目前还没有实践。一个主要特点将涉及与少数民族女教授和学生在菲斯克大学和南卡罗来纳州北部大学的互动。 目标将是培养有才华的多元化科学家;将提供暑期实习，涉及来自HBCU和四年制学校的教师和学生，以拓宽学生的视野，远远超出他们自己的研究项目。

TECHNICAL SUMMARYThe research will provide the scientific and technological foundation for the synthesis, characterization, processing, and performance verification of melt-stable, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) copolymers and blends with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO or PEG). These systems will provide for the first time valuable fibers, films, and molded objects that will have the solvent-free, environmental attractiveness afforded by melt fabrication. The project will largely focus on classical free radical statistical copolymerization of acrylonitrile with ion-containing comonomers and with methacrylate functional poly(ethylene oxide) macromonomer oligomers. They can be efficiently prepared in high molecular weight in DMSO. The rheological properties of the copolymers and blends will be measured as a function of temperature, time, and shear rate to confirm the thermoplastic nature of these systems and to determine compositional limits. NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARYThis award is based upon the growing need for sustainable, environmentally attractive, advanced macromolecular materials systems for high performance film and fiber applications ranging from energy to packaging materials and wastewater purification systems and polymer matrix carbon composites -- the latter of interest for aerospace, transportation, and windmill power. The first priority will be to investigate systems that are melt-processable and permit very low gas permeabilities and melt-spun acrylic fibers. Such materials would open broad new vistas for textile synthesis and production, which is currently not practiced in the Unites States. A major feature will involve interactions with minority women professors and students at Fisk University and at the University of South Carolina Upstate. The goal will be to develop talented diverse scientists; summer internships will be provided involving faculty and students from HBCUs and 4-year schools to broaden students' perspectives well beyond their own research projects.