Block Copolymer Based Multicomponent Self-assembly of Porous Nanostructures From Non-equilibrium Processes

非技术摘要：这个项目涉及研究多组分聚合物(软物质)体系在外力驱动下脱离平衡的自发结构形成。PI将专门研究使用称为嵌段共聚物(BCP)的聚合物材料的多孔纳米结构的自组装。了解基本的形成原理和控制偏离平衡的多组分聚合物体系的性质是一个主要的基础领域和技术兴趣领域。如果成功，该项目将通过提供新颖和可扩展的方法来克服不对称超滤膜(例如对生物制药行业很重要)或工业废水中成分回收的尺寸选择过滤的局限性，从而促进科学进步。它还将使人们能够获得软物质导向的高质量超导体，这些超导体的形状因数来自添加剂制造，这可能在量子信息或能源技术等领域产生影响。该研究项目是高度交叉的，从多孔纳米结构的非平衡形成机制的合成和表征，到聚合物衍生超导体及其性质的研究。因此，它将为本科生和研究生提供一个智力高度激发的教育环境，让他们了解聚合物科学和工程及其应用的深度和广度。该计划将涉及人力资源培训和开发的各个组成部分，包括代表不足的群体的参与，以及产业外展。技术摘要：该项目涉及研究嵌段共聚物(BCP)通过非平衡形成过程自组装获得的多组分多孔纳米结构的合成、制备、表征、形成机理和性能。使用多组分聚合物系统将研究两种不同的情况：第一种情况需要由两个或更多化学上不同的BCP在非溶剂诱导的相分离中形成不对称超滤膜。第二类是基于BCP自组装和3D打印的溶胶纳米颗粒复合材料及其转变为具有新的纳米结构和形状因数的超导体。该研究计划的更广泛目标是了解潜在的基本化学、物理和动力学形成原理，使其能够基于对纳米结构的控制产生具有迄今未知性质的材料。这项研究将包括所有成分的合成，多孔纳米结构材料的制备，以及使用各种散射、显微镜、光谱和性能测量技术表征其结构和性能。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY:This project involves investigation of the spontaneous structure formation of multicomponent polymer (soft matter) systems driven away from equilibrium by external forces. The PI will specifically study the self-assembly of of porous nanostructures using polymeric materials called block copolymers (BCP). Understanding the underlying formation principles and controlling the properties of multicomponent polymer systems driven away from equilibrium is an area of major fundamental as well as technological interest. If successful, the project will promote the progress of science by providing novel and scalable approaches to overcome limitations of size-selective filtration in asymmetric ultrafiltration membranes (which are important, e.g., for the biopharmaceutical industry) or for component recovery in industrial effluents. It will also enable access to soft-matter directed high-quality superconductors with novel form factors derived from additive manufacturing, which could have implications in areas including quantum information or energy technologies. The research program is highly cross-disciplinary, ranging from synthesis and characterization across non-equilibrium formation mechanisms of porous nanostructures to the study of polymer-derived superconductors and their properties. It would thus provide an intellectually highly stimulating educational environment for undergraduate and graduate students to learn about the depth and breadth of polymer science and engineering and its applications. The program will involve various components of training and development of human resources, including the participation of underrepresented groups, as well as industrial outreach.TECHNICAL SUMMARY:This project involves study of the synthesis, preparation, characterization, formation mechanisms, and properties of block copolymer (BCP) based multicomponent porous nanostructures obtained through self-assembly via non-equilibrium formation processes. Two different scenarios will be investigated employing multicomponent polymer systems: The first entails the formation of asymmetric ultrafiltration membranes from two or more chemically distinct BCPs exposed to non-solvent-induced phase separation. The second involves BCP self-assembly-based and 3D-printed sol nanoparticle composites and their conversion into superconductors with novel nanostructures and form factors. The broader aim of the research program is to understand the underlying fundamental chemical, physical, and kinetic formation principles enabling generation of materials with hitherto unknown property profiles based on control over their nanostructures. The research will include synthesis of all components, preparation of porous nanostructured materials, and characterization of their structure and properties using various scattering, microscopy, spectroscopy, and property measurement techniques. .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.