Multi-phase polymeric materials: structure, properties and interfacial phenomena

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My research program encompasses a broad range of polymers and multiphase systems emphasizing surface/interfacial structure and dynamic properties including crystallization behavior, rheology and diffusion. Polymers (or plastics) and multiphase polymeric systems are used in many products important to Canada's economy from automobiles and airplanes, to cell phones and even pharmaceuticals.Interfaces, between polymers and their environment and between different constituents in a multiphase polymeric material, play a significant role in end-use and processing behaviors. There is a lack of quantitative relations between (i) the molecular structure of polymers and their local structure/composition at interfaces and (ii) the local structure/composition at interfaces and the overall material properties. This is important because the overall material properties determine product quality and production rate limitations.The objective of my program is to provide theoretically sound, quantitative relations between structures and properties of multi-phase polymeric materials and their interfaces with a focus on issues important to industry such that manufacturers can improve quality and productivity. We will achieve this objective by performing carefully designed, rigorous experimental studies of materials that are intermediate in complexity between model and industrial systems. For the next 5 years I will focus on 2 cases: molecular fractionation under slipping flow conditions and diffusion in molten polymers and concentrated solutions. I plan to produce data that can be used to derive and validate mathematical models relating the material structure and properties.The results of this work will be important to manufacturers of plastic resins as well as those who produce products using plastics. The mathematical models that will be developed from our data will allow the design of materials with particular properties and will aid in trouble-shooting of polymer processing operations.