Rheology and Structure of Ionomer and Associating Polymer Solutions

将研究离聚物和缔合聚合物的溶液性质。多功能远旋体和聚氨酯离聚体的粘度学、静态和动态光散射、SAXS、SANS和流变学实验将用于确定不同极性溶剂和混合溶剂在广泛浓度下的离聚体溶液的结构和热力学。该研究有望为有争议的多电解质行为的起源提供见解。离子聚集体的内部结构和动力学将使用蒙特卡罗和分子动力学模拟进行建模。变形对结构和链拉伸的影响将通过流变学、流动双折射和SANS研究来确定。将特别注意确定控制剪切增厚现象的分子因素。实验结果将对远旋缔合体系（如无规共聚物离聚体溶液）的分子模型的理论预测进行测试。拟议的研究加上其他与离聚体形态和嵌段共聚物研究相关的项目代表了一个广泛而综合的项目，旨在为复杂的流体流变学带来基本的理解。所提出的研究结果将导致对离聚体溶液行为的更完整的理解，从而更好地在商业应用中加以利用。实验数据将促进新理论的发展，并提供一种检验这些理论的方法。从这项调查中得出的总体研究结果应该有助于为这些重要的聚合物类别定义更可预测的加工条件。这些材料应用于膜、粘合剂、涂料、粘度调节剂和包装材料；所有这些都对材料的加工历史敏感。

9815942 Cooper The solution properties of ionomers as well as associating polymers will be investigated. Viscometric, static and dynamic light scattering, SAXS, SANS, and rheological experiments on multi-functional telechelic and polyurethane ionomers will be used to determine the structure and thermodynamics of ionomer solutions in different polarity solvents and mixed solvents over a broad concentration regime. The study can be expected to provide insight into the controversial origin of polyelectrolyte behavior. The internal structure and dynamics of the ionic aggregates will be modeled using Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations. The effect of deformation on the structure and chain stretching of hydrophobically terminated associating polymers will be determined through rheological, flow birefringence, and SANS studies. Particular attention will be paid to determine the molecular factors governing shear thickening phenomena. The experimental findings will be tested against the theoretical predictions of a molecular model for telechelic associating systems such as random copolymer ionomer solutions. %%% The proposed research plus other projects related to studies of ionomer morphology and block copolymers represent a broad and integrated program designed to bring fundamental understanding of complex fluid rheology. The results of the proposed studies will lead to a more complete understanding of ionomer solution behavior, leading to better utilization in commercial applications. The experimental data will instigate the development of new theories as well as provide a means of testing them. The overall research findings resulting from this investigation should be useful in defining more predictable processing conditions for these important classes of polymers. These materials find applications as membranes, adhesives, coatings, viscosity modifiers, and packaging materials; all of which are sensitive to the material processing history.