Materials World Network: Design of Responsive Materials via Mixed Polymer Brush Approach

这项工作的重点是新型响应性纳米结构材料的化学设计和表征，即由混合聚合物刷制成的超薄膜，具有可控和可变的亲水/疏水/空间/离子相互作用。为了实现该项目的目标，组建了一个在该领域拥有互补专业知识的美德专家小组。小组成员包括：I.Luzinov(克莱姆森大学，(混合)聚合物刷子的合成)；S.Minko(克拉克森大学，混合聚合物刷子的性质/应用)；M.Stamm(德累斯顿工业大学和莱布尼茨-德累斯顿聚合物研究所，蛋白质在混合聚合物刷子上的吸附)；M.Mller(格廷根大学，混合聚合物刷子的理论建模)；K.Hinrichs/N.Esser和K.-J.Eichhorn(柏林分析科学研究所，用光谱椭圆法研究刷子)。基于聚合物物理、化学合成和自组装的创造性组合，研究人员提出了一种新的方法来制造智能响应材料，该材料能够切换相互作用并根据外部信号(如水环境中的pH、离子强度、温度和电势)调整其界面化学组成。具有智能性能的聚合物薄膜将由不同化学结构和尺寸的功能聚合物特别设计。这项工作将研究如何剪裁合成材料表面的关键问题，它可以(1)容易和有效地与水环境中的胶体/纳米粒子以及生物系统(蛋白质和细胞)建立所需的相互作用水平；(2)根据外部信号在广泛的范围内改变相互作用。这项研究的成功完成将对材料科学产生广泛的影响，因为表面和界面的组成和行为在决定大多数材料和器件的整体效率方面起着关键作用。拟议项目的另一个优先事项是让最聪明的高中生、本科生和研究生参与现代表面科学和纳米技术研究。该项目将对学生进行纳米结构材料表面改性和表征方面的培训。学生还将从美国和德国研究机构之间的合作中受益匪浅，因为他们将积极参与该项目框架内计划的国际研究合作。

The focus of this work is on chemical design and characterization of novel responsive nanostructured materials, namely ultrathin films made of mixed polymer brushes, with controlled and variable hydrophilic/hydrophobic/ steric/inonic interactions. To accomplish the objectives of the project a US-German team of specialists possessing complementary expertise in the area has been assembled. The team includes: I. Luzinov (Clemson University, synthesis of (mixed) polymer brushes); S. Minko (Clarkson University, properties/applications of mixed polymer brushes); M. Stamm (Dresden Technical University and Leibniz-Institute for Polymer Research Dresden, protein adsorption onto the mixed polymer brushes); M. Mller (University of Gttingen, theoretical modeling of the mixed brushes); K. Hinrichs/N. Esser and K.-J. Eichhorn (Institute for Analytical Sciences in Berlin, study of the brushes with spectroscopic ellipsometry). Based on a creative combination of polymer physics, chemical synthesis, and self-assembly, the investigators propose a novel route for the fabrication of smart responsive materials with the ability to switch interactions and to adapt their interfacial chemical composition upon external signals such as pH, ionic strength, temperature, and electrical potential in aqueous environment. The thin polymer films with smart properties will be especially designed from functional polymers with different chemical architecture and size. This work will examine the critical question of how to tailor surface of synthetic materials which can (1) easily and effectively establish a desired level of interactions with colloidal/nano particles as well as biological systems (proteins and cells) in aqueous environment; (2) change the interaction over a broad range upon an external signal.Successful completion of this proposed research will have broad impact on materials science, since the composition and behavior of surfaces and interfaces plays a pivotal role in dictating the overall efficiency of most materials and devices. Another priority of the proposed project is involvement of the brightest high-school, undergraduate and graduate students in modern surface science and nanotechnology research. The project will result in the training of students in the area of surface modification and characterization of nanostructured materials. Students also will greatly benefit from collaboration between US and German research institutions, as they will be actively involved in international research collaborations planned within the framework of the project.