Directed Ionic Transport in Poly(Ionic Liquid)-Grafted Nanoparticles in Polarizable Media

本项目旨在开发具有溶液中离子传输特性的可持续材料，这对于水处理的膜应用以及能源应用的电解质非常重要。该项目旨在研究纳米颗粒在离子介质中的纳米级动力学、传输和结构行为，以及附着的聚电解质和聚（离子液体）分子。研究了离子液体和电解质分子链极化的概念；它可以为磁性聚电解质混合物找到变革性的用途。聚电解质的分子构象行为以及聚（离子液体）基共聚物接枝纳米颗粒中的离子传输及其形态将决定膜的传输效率。该项目计划将项目成果用于本科水平的化学工程课程，并将与高中科学教师合作，帮助开发纳米技术课程。多方面的教育方法将包括虚拟纳米科学教育者研讨会。聚电解质和聚（离子液体）具有很强的离子结合和离子传输特性，可以表现出可切换的反应，这使它们成为易于再生的可持续膜的理想候选者；同样，具有增强耐久性和离子传输的聚电解质。本项目旨在研究氢键和分子极化对电解质的构象和取向的作用，无论是作为溶剂介质还是作为聚合物链。用流变学和小角中子散射实验来研究电场下聚电解质接枝粒子的网络形成。聚电解质与溶剂介质之间的相互作用将决定溶剂化状态、离子输运、电导率、粘弹性和链的极化。此外，将通过拉曼和核磁共振技术验证非导电聚合物、聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯和咪唑基离子液体之间的氢相互作用，并通过原位透射电镜实验研究聚合物接枝颗粒对离子液体的极化作用。本文将合成咪唑基聚离子液体（PIL）接枝颗粒，并探讨其与离子液体介质的相互作用，以了解离子电导率。制备了两种不同PIL嵌段的共聚物接枝纳米粒子，并研究了离子液体中的离子传导机理。最终，形态学研究将与电导率相关。本研究的总体目标是探索溶液中基于纳米粒子的聚电解质的氢相互作用诱导和极化结构。该研究计划将巩固聚合物和离子液体介质取向的基本机制，并将帮助我们了解竞争因素以及它们如何通过纳米级相互作用影响离子传输特性。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

PART 1: NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARYThis project aims to develop sustainable materials for their ion transport properties in solutions, which is important for membrane applications for water treatment, as well as electrolytes for energy applications. The PI aims to investigate the nanoscale dynamics, transport, and structural behavior in ionic media of nanoparticles with attached polyelectrolyte and poly(ionic liquid) molecules. The concept of polarization of the ionic liquids and electrolyte molecular chains will be investigated; it can find transformative uses for magnetic polyelectrolyte hybrids. The molecular conformational behavior of polyelectrolytes as well as ionic transport in poly(ionic liquid)-based copolymer-grafted nanoparticles and their morphologies will determine the transport efficiency of the membranes. The PI plans to use the project deliverables in undergraduate level chemical engineering courses and will also work with high school science teachers to help course development on nanotechnology. Multifaceted educational approaches will include virtual nanoscience educator workshops. PART 2: TECHNICAL SUMMARYPolyelectrolytes and poly(ionic liquids), possessing strong ion binding and ion transport properties, can exhibit switchable responses which make them ideal candidates for sustainable membranes with easy regeneration; similarly, polyelectrolytes with enhanced durability and ion transport. This project aims to investigate the role of hydrogen-bonding and polarization of molecules on the conformations and orientations of electrolytes, either as solvent medium or as polymer chains. Network formation in polyelectrolyte-grafted particles under fields will be examined using rheology and small-angle neutron scattering experiments. Interactions between the polyelectrolytes and the solvent media will determine the solvation state, ion transport, conductivity, viscoelastic properties and the polarization of chains. In addition, hydrogen interactions between non-conductive polymer, poly(methyl methacrylate), and imidazolium-based ionic liquid will be verified by Raman and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic techniques, and the polarization of ionic liquids with the polymer-grafted particles will be studied through in-situ TEM experiments. Imidazolium based poly(ionic liquid) (PIL)-grafted particles will be synthesized and their interactions with the ionic liquid medium will be explored to understand ionic conductivity. Two copolymer-grafted nanoparticles with different PIL blocks will be prepared and the ion conduction mechanism in ionic liquid will be investigated. Ultimately, the morphological study will be correlated to the conductivity. The overall aim of the proposed research is to explore the hydrogen interaction-induced and polarized structures of nanoparticle-based polyelectrolytes in solutions. The research plan will underpin the fundamental mechanism of orientations both for the polymer and for the ionic liquid media and will help us understand competing factors and how they influence the ion transport properties through nanoscale interactions..This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.