NER: Nanoscale Composites Based on Carbon Ribbons

本提案是响应NSF-0019而收到的。计划进行的研究中，非并苯，这是带状分子的稠环，检查其潜力，以加强聚合物基体前所未有的有效性。研究活动包括在选定长度的单分散群体中合成所需的苯并菲，制备微观机械测试样品，以及小规模机械测试以证明用苯并菲制成的纳米复合材料的强度和刚度显著高于用碳纳米管制成的相应纳米复合材料的强度和刚度的假设。这项研究是一项将基础化学与材料工程相结合的合作，目标是在研究生工程领域接受基础物理科学培训的女本科生。

AbstractThis proposal was received in response to NSF-0019. Research is planned in which phenacenes, which are ribbon-like molecules of fused rings, are examined for their potential to reinforce polymer matrices with unprecedented effectiveness. The research activities incl3de synthesis of the desired phenacenes in monodisperse populations of selected lengths, preparation of microscopic mechanical test specimens, and small-scale mechanical testing to demonstrate the hypothesis that the strength and stiffness of nanocomposites made with phenacenes are significantly higher than those of the corresponding nanocomposites made with carbon nanotubes. The research is a collaboration that combines fundamental chemistry with materials engineering and that targets undergraduate women being trained in the basic physical sciences for the field of post-graduate engineering.