Functional Polymer Surfaces

这项研究的目的是产生功能聚合物表面具有组成经济，新的或改进的性能，方便，传统的加工。一项研究重点是将P[AB]（共聚氧烷）软嵌段聚氨酯作为共混物中的次要成分（2%或更少），这样共聚氧烷软嵌段决定表面性能，而基础聚合物决定体积性能。一个独特的特征是A和B共重复的协同相互作用产生新的表面现象。先前的研究指出了在P[AB]-软嵌段聚氨酯中增加电荷（季）B共重复单元的摩尔分数的机会。该策略旨在促进表面浓度的物理研究和加速抗菌作用的动力学。新发现的通过聚阳离子改性剂的分层“播种”（LbL）加工将被探索作为一种快速和彻底改变表面性质的方法。其他具有“反亲性”润湿作用的P[AB]-软块聚氨酯将被研究，因为这些表面可能具有独特的生物相容性。新型半晶含氟聚氧烷的结构和表面动力学将被评价为环保的疏水/疏油涂料的有前途的候选者。最后，用一种新发现的方法修饰缩合固化的聚二甲基硅氧烷网络，旨在引入疏油性和季电荷的表面浓度。非技术总结：聚合物表面在无数的日常事物中都会遇到，比如涂漆或涂层表面和模塑物体。这项研究的目的是在这种表面上经济地引入特殊功能。一个课题是以经济的方式生产耐用的、本质上无菌的表面。医疗机构需要无菌（经济）的特殊功能来阻止疾病的传播。为了达到这些和其他理想的表面特性，为传统涂层设计了特殊的添加剂，使得在常规应用过程中，非常少量的添加剂会自发地集中在表面。另一个正在开发的表面功能是一种新的润湿特性，这是违反直觉的：一种表面最初是“亲水”的，但在表面最初被润湿后就会变得耐湿。对于需要与人体组织或液体相容的医疗器械涂层来说，这种润湿特性看起来很有希望。这项研究的广泛影响包括化学、表面科学和微生物学的跨学科培训，这导致隐形眼镜生产商和采用生物技术制造药物的公司对学生和博士后科学家的高需求。这项研究旨在通过本科和研究生课程开发（例如“医学聚合物入门”课程）和代表性不足的少数民族参与研究，在当地产生更广泛的影响。在国家层面上，对这项研究的支持促进了领导活动，如共同组织两年一次的美国化学学会K-12研讨会/专题讨论会“日常事物的聚合物科学”。与日本、意大利和瑞典团体的国际合作和学生交流在了解目标表面如何被修改方面发挥了至关重要的作用。

This research is aimed at generating functional polymer surfaces with compositional economy, new or improved properties, and facile, conventional processing. One research thrust focuses on P[AB] (co-polyoxetane) soft block polyurethanes as minor constituents (2 wt% or less) in blends such that the co-polyoxetane soft block defines surface properties while the base polymer defines bulk properties. A unique feature is synergistic interactions of A and B co-repeats that produce new surface phenomena. Prior research points to opportunities via increasing the mole fraction charged (quaternary) B co-repeat units in P[AB]-soft block polyurethanes. This strategy is aimed at facilitating physical studies of surface concentration and accelerating kinetics of antimicrobial action. Newly discovered "seeding" of layer by layer (LbL) processing via polycationic modifiers will be explored as a method to quickly and radically change surface properties. Other P[AB]-soft block polyurethanes that confer "contraphilic" wetting will be studied as these surfaces may have unique biocompatibility. The structure and surface dynamics of new semicrystalline fluorous polyoxetanes will be evaluated as promising candidates for environmentally responsible hydrophobic/oleophobic coatings. Finally, modifying condensation cured polydimethylsiloxane networks by a recently discovered approach is aimed at introducing oleophobicity and surface concentration of quaternary charge.NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Polymer surfaces are encountered in a myriad of everyday things such as painted or coated surfaces and molded objects. This research is aimed at economically introducing special functions into such surfaces. One subject is generation of durable, intrinsically sterile surfaces in an economical way. The special function of sterility (with economy) is needed for healthcare facilities to thwart the spread of disease. To achieve these and other desirable surface characteristics, special additives are designed for conventional coatings such that a very small amount spontaneously concentrates at the surface during conventional application. Another surface function being developed is a novel wetting characteristic that is counterintuitive: a surface that is initially "water loving" but becomes resistant to wetting after the surface is initially wetted. Such a wetting property looks promising for medical device coatings that require compatibility with body tissue or fluids. Broader impacts of this research include interdisciplinary training in chemistry, surface science and microbiology, which results in high demand for students and postdoctoral scientists by companies such as contact lens producers and companies employing biotechnology for drug manufacture. This research is aimed at effecting broader impacts locally, through undergraduate and graduate course development (e.g., the course "Introduction to Polymers in Medicine") and through underrepresented minority participation in research. On a national level, support for this research facilitates leadership activities such as co-organization of the biennial American Chemical Society K-12 workshops / symposia "Polymer Science of Everyday Things". International collaborative work and student exchange with groups in Japan, Italy, and Sweden play a vital role in understanding how the targeted surfaces are modified.