CAREER: Elucidating the Impact of Side-Chain Topology on the Structure-Property Relationship in Bottlebrush Polymers

本项目主要研究瓶刷聚合物（BBPs），这是一种具有独特、密集支链分子结构的合成聚合物。这些聚合物在医疗保健、电子和可持续发展等领域具有潜在的应用前景。关键的挑战是理解和控制bbp的可变结构，以创造新的性质和功能。本研究旨在开发具有精确分子特征的bbp的创建方法，旨在建立其设计的分子结构与其物理性质之间的明确联系。此外，该项目旨在吸引和教育下一代科学家，特别是关注STEM中代表性不足的群体。在开发教育项目和资源方面，该项目旨在通过提供聚合物科学的实践经验和知识，提高路易斯安那州STEM领域的多样性，为学生未来的职业生涯做好准备。第2部分：技术概述计划的研究旨在全面了解精密合成瓶刷聚合物（BBPs）的结构-性能关系。具体来说，它将开发具有离散侧链，功能部分和完全离散结构/衍生物的bbp的制备策略。目的是确定构建块的结构精度如何影响所产生的bbp的物理和传输特性。此外，该项目还将研究具有高应变骨架和多块结构的bbp的热机械性能的拓扑驱动分子原理。这样就可以完全基于侧链物理来控制玻璃化转变行为。第三个目标是研究设计器拓扑对新特性和装配行为的影响，重点是多块和刺激激活系统。除了科学目标之外，还有更广泛的影响，旨在通过教育举措促进路易斯安那州的STEM多样性，包括聚合物的开源电子工作手册，K-12和本科生的研究体验项目，该项目由材料研究部的聚合物项目（DMR）和促进竞争研究的既定计划（EPSCoR）共同资助。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识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 focuses on the study of bottlebrush polymers (BBPs), a type of synthetic polymer that has unique, densely branched molecular structures. These polymers have potential applications in areas such as healthcare, electronics, and sustainability. The key challenge is understanding and controlling the variable structures of BBPs to create new properties and functions. This research seeks to develop methods for creating BBPs with precise molecular characteristics, aiming to establish a clear connection between their designed molecular architecture and their physical properties. Furthermore, the project aims to engage and educate the next generation of scientists, particularly focusing on underrepresented groups in STEM. In developing educational programs and resources, the project aims to enhance diversity in STEM fields in Louisiana and prepare students for future careers by providing practical experiences and knowledge in polymer science.PART 2: TECHNICAL SUMMARYThe planned research aims at a comprehensive understanding of the structure-property relationships of precision synthetic bottlebrush polymers (BBPs). Specifically, it will develop strategies for preparing BBPs with discrete side chains, functional moieties, and fully discrete structures/derivatives. The goal is to determine how the structural precision of building blocks influences the physical and transport properties of the resulting BBPs. Additionally, the project will investigate topology-driven molecular principles governing thermomechanical properties of BBPs with highly strained backbones and multiblock architectures. This could allow for the control of glass transition behavior based solely on side-chain physics. The third objective is to study the impact of designer topology on new properties and assembly behaviors with an emphasis on multiblocks and stimuli-activated systems. Beyond scientific objectives, there are broader impacts aimed at promoting STEM diversity in Louisiana through educational initiatives including an open-source electronic workbook on polymers, a research experience program for K-12 and undergraduate students, and bi-annual academic-industry workshops discussing advances in polymer science..This project is jointly funded by the Polymers Program in the Division of Materials Research (DMR) and the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).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.