Dendritic Macromolecules at Interfaces

本项目的最终目标是了解单枝植物的界面行为和微观结构，以便将这些分子固定在界面上。PI将筛选各种分子参数，包括单枝植物的代数、末端基团的类型、间隔长度、锚定基团的性质和功能化底物的类型，以寻找稳定的有组织的界面组装。这些树突状大分子能够在界面上形成有组织和稳定的超分子结构，与用于化学结合的焦点锚定基团结合到功能修饰的表面。通过Langmuir技术、化学和静电自组装，结合椭圆偏振、x射线散射、紫外光谱和扫描探针显微镜的综合表征，研究气-液、气-固和液-固界面的界面有序和表面行为。本项目的重点是利用纳米技术制造具有分子定制表面特性的树状大分子纳米复合薄膜。具有树状结构的树状聚合物是一种很有前途的功能性超分子材料，在药物递送、分子涂层、纳米化学、分子复合材料和光收获等领域具有广阔的应用前景。开发此类应用的关键一步是了解如何以可控的方式将这些大分子固定在固体基质上。

The ultimate goal of this project is to understand that interfacial behavior and microstructure of monodendrons in order to immobilize these molecules on an interface. The PI is going to screen various molecular parameters including a generation number of monodendrons, type of terminal groups, spacer length, nature of anchoring groups, and type of functionalized substrates in a search for stable organized interfacial assemblies. These dendrimer macromolecules could be capable of forming organized and stable supramolecular structures at interfaces with the focal anchoring group used for chemical binding to functionally modified surfaces. Interfacial ordering and surface behavior at air-liquid, air-solid, and liquid-solid interfaces will be studied by Langmuir techniques, chemical and electrostatic self-assembly in conjunction with comprehensive characterization with ellipsometry, X-ray scattering, UV spectroscopy, and scanning probe microscopy.This project focuses on the nanotechnology for fabrication of nanocomposite films with molecularly tailored surface properties from dendrimers. Dendrimer polymers with a tree-like architecture are promising candidates for functional supramolecular materials with prospective applications in the fields of drug delivery, molecular coatings, nanochemistry, molecular composites, and light harvesting. A critical step in the development of such applications is the understanding of how these macromolecules can be anchored to solid substrates in a controllable manner.