Industry/University Cooperative Research Project: Scat- tering and Spectroscopic Investigation of Non-Ideal and Colloidal Solutions

研究摘要：本项目利用散射和光谱学技术研究了非理想溶液中通过氢键、缩合和疏水效应的分子缔合。具体来说，PI将研究：1)醇和羧酸溶液中的扩散和缔合；2)有机硅酯水解形成溶胶；3)水包油和油包水微乳的组分活性；4)硅油/非离子表面活性剂/水微乳的稳定性及形成机理。这个研究小组是最早使用光散射和振动光谱工具在分子尺度上研究非理想溶液的研究小组之一。他们将对聚集体大小敏感的光散射与对官能团（O-H， C-H等）变化敏感的振动光谱（IR-Raman）相结合，以找出导致非理想溶液通常宏观行为的分子过程和反应。技术影响：本研究将在几个层面上产生影响：1)通过氢键结合的研究对于建立和完善非理想溶液中扩散和热力学活性的预测模型是迫切需要的。这些数据用于设计常见的分离工艺，如液-液萃取和蒸馏，以及气体净化；2)从硅的有机酯中形成100 A尺寸范围内的窄分布硅溶胶的新工艺的发展将对电子显微镜和光散射仪器制造商生产规范的二级尺寸标准非常有用。第二个同样有用的应用将是用于高功率激光光学的光学薄膜涂层。最后，这里学到的东西可以直接转移到生产高纯度，异国情调的陶瓷粉末；3)开发硅油微乳形成的新方法，了解影响其稳定性的分子参数，将影响这类新型微乳的成本和保质期。硅油微乳液具有广泛应用于纺织品柔软剂和化妆品的潜力。

Research Summary: In this project, molecular association in non-ideal solutions through hydrogen bonding, condensation and hydrophobic effect at the molecular level are being examined using scattering and spectroscopic techniques. Specifically, the PI will investigate: 1) Diffusion and association in solutions of alcohols and carboxylic acids; 2) Sol formation by the hydrolysis of organo-silicon esters; 3) Component activities for oil-in-water and water-in-oil microemulsions; and 4) Stability and formation mechanisms of Silicone oil/nonionic surfactant/water microemulsions. This research group was one of the very first to use the tools of light scattering and vibrational spectroscopy in investigating non-ideal solutions at the molecular scale. They combine light-scattering, which is sensitive to aggregate size, with vibrational spectroscopy (IR-Raman) sensitive to the changes at the functional group (O-H, C-H etc.) level, to find out what molecular processes and reactions are responsible for the usual macroscopic behavior of non-ideal solutions. Technical Impact: The impact of this research will be at several levels: 1) The research on association through hydrogen bonding is desperately needed in developing and refining predictive models of diffusion and thermodynamic activity in non-ideal solutions. These data are used in designing common separation processes such as liquid-liquid extraction and distillation, as well as gas purification; 2) Development of new processes to form narrow distribution silica sols in the 100 A size range from organic esters of silicon will be very useful for producing regulated secondary size standards for electron microscopy and light scattering instrument makers. A second and equally useful application will be in optical thin film coatings for high power laser optics. Finally, what is learned here is directly transferable to production of high purity, exotic ceramic powders; 3) Developing new methods of silicon oil microemulsion formation, and understanding the molecular parameters affecting their stability will impact the cost and shelf life of this new class of microemulsions. Silicone oil microemulsions have the potential to be used extensively as textile softeners as well as in cosmetic products.