RUI: Compatibilization Studies of Bulk and Thin Film Polymer Blends with Copolymer Additives

技术：增容聚合物混合物在传统的大宗应用以及与薄膜相关的应用(例如聚合物太阳能电池、燃料电池膜和电池技术)中继续发挥着重要作用。更好地了解共聚添加剂如何增强聚合物共混物，将使这些技术得到进一步发展。作为本科生研究机构(RUI)更新奖的一部分，这项研究将拓宽关于共聚物结构如何影响本体和薄膜聚合物混合物的知识。这项研究将对增容聚合物共混物进行，分为两个主要领域，即本体共混物和薄膜共混物。这两个领域的研究都将调查共聚物添加剂结构的影响。首先，将使用散射技术、固体核磁共振和原子力显微镜来研究共聚物对本体聚合物共混物的影响，重点研究热力学和界面性质。其次，用原子力显微镜研究了薄膜聚合物共混物的增容作用，包括静态薄膜和高温下的脱湿和相分离动力学。要研究的主要聚合物体系是聚丁二烯和聚苯乙烯均聚物的混合物，添加剂是丁二烯和苯乙烯的各种二嵌段、三嵌段和四嵌段共聚物。这项研究将在一个以本科生为主的机构进行，为至少四名本科生提供暑期研究体验。外展活动也包括在内，通过当地的数学、工程和科学成就(MESA)计划为代表不足的学生提供机会。非技术性：今天的一些最大挑战包括通过新的太阳能和燃料电池技术提供清洁能源生产。制造高性能材料的能力非常重要，可以满足这些技术的需求。类似的先进材料也可以影响许多其他技术，从环保的屋顶材料、移动设备、涂料到汽车的关键部件。作为NSF本科院校研究更新奖的一部分，这项研究将有助于增加我们关于如何制造具有定制性能的此类材料的基本知识，并最终可能导致提高制造具有特定性能的新塑料的能力。本科生将是这项研究的主要参与者，为他们提供重要的经验，并促进他们进入学士学位后教育和科学工作大军。该奖项还将通过在暑期和学年为本科生扩大研究经验，有益于主要研究机构的教育努力。外展活动还包括将当地数学、工程和科学成就(MESA)项目的未被充分代表的高中生带到我们的实验室参加聚合物材料研讨会。

TECHNICAL:Compatibilized polymer blends continue to be important in traditional bulk applications as well as in thin film related applications (e.g., polymer solar cells, fuel cell membranes, and battery technology). A better understanding of how copolymer additives can enhance polymer blends will enable further advances in these technologies. The research to be conducted as part of this Research in Undergraduate Institution (RUI) renewal award will broaden the knowledge of how copolymer structure can influence bulk and thin film polymer blends. The research will be conducted on compatibilized polymer blends divided into two main areas, bulk blends and thin film blends. Both areas of research will investigate the influence of copolymer additive structure. First, the copolymer effect on the bulk polymer blends will be investigated using scattering techniques, solid state NMR, and atomic force microscopy focusing on thermodynamics and interfacial properties. Second, compatibilization of thin film polymer blends will be investigated with atomic force microscopy both as static films as well as at higher temperatures studying the dewetting and phase separation kinetics. The primary polymer system to be studied is a blend of polybutadiene and polystyrene homopolymers with the additives being various diblock, triblock, and tetrablock copolymers of butadiene and styrene. The research will take place in a predominantly undergraduate institution, providing summer research experiences for at least four undergraduate students. Outreach activities are also be included that provide opportunities for underrepresented students through the local Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA) program.NON-TECHNICAL:Some of today's biggest challenges include providing clean energy production through new solar energy and fuel cell technology. The capability of manufacturing high performance materials, which can address needs in these technologies, is very import. Similar advanced materials can impact many other technologies as well, ranging from environmentally friendly roofing materials, mobile devices, coatings, to critical components in automobiles. The research to be conducted as part of this NSF Research in Undergraduate Institutions renewal award will help increase our fundamental knowledge of how to make these kinds of materials with tailored properties and may eventually lead to an increased ability to manufacture new plastics with specific properties. Undergraduate students will be the primary participants in this research giving them vital experience and facilitating their movement into post-baccalaureate education as well as in the scientific work force. This award will also be beneficial to the educational efforts of the principal investigator's institution through the broadening of research experiences for undergraduate students during the summer and the academic year. Outreach activities are also included that bring underrepresented high school students from a local Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA) program to our labs for a polymer materials workshop.