The physical chemistry of macromolecular conformation and directed aggregation: towards control of nanoparticle aggregates and composites

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Large molecules (e.g, polymers, proteins and nucleic acids) can have a variety of conformations. When in the condensed phase, whether pure or in mixtures, the material properties depend not just on composition but also on conformation and intermolecular organization. From the point of view of applications, this presents an alternative approach - that material properties can be altered not by breaking and making chemical bonds, but by a simple physical approach that relies on materials processing. Such approach is pursued mainly empirically in the polymer industry but has not been fully analyzed or exploited elsewhere. The goal of this program is to get insight on the interactions of large molecules, to control their conformation, their ability to aggregate with each other and to form composite materials. We will look at the formation of nanoparticle systems of three different types: biomolecules; polymers, particularly polyelectrolytes; and polymer-inorganic nanoparticle hybrids. These nanoparticles will then be made to form higher order aggregates and nanocomposites, targetting desirable properties and functionalities. At each stage, the work will involve: (1) developing an approach for making and handling the initial material, (2) characterization, primarily with microscopy and spectroscopy; (3) measurement of properties; (4) initial computation and modeling; and (5) design and implementation of material with targeted properties.