Materials World Network: Modulation of Electron Oscillation Characteristics of Nanostructured Conducting Polymer Films during Electrochemical Switching

这个项目的目标是探索导电聚合物的电活性如何受到隔离的纳米粒子表面等离子体的显著影响的机制，然后通过电化学开关进行调制。对这些研究可能产生的新的协同性质的基本了解可以使等离子体器件的发展成为可能。聚合物-纳米颗粒的相互作用在许多研究领域--从传感器到微电子和光伏--都很重要。研究人员开发了一种纳米结构聚酰胺酸薄膜，通过防止其亚胺化为聚酰亚胺，同时保留其羧酸和胺功能，使其具有电活性和透明性。他们研究导电聚合物-金属纳米颗粒协同效应的基本原理。将开发一系列新型导电聚酰胺酸/金属复合薄膜并对其进行表征。研究了聚合物/金属复合材料的组成和微观结构对其光学和电化学性能的影响。在交流访问期间，纽约州立大学宾厄姆顿分校及其在南非西开普省大学的合作伙伴将分享有待开发的材料和调查人员可转让的技能。最终目标是开发用于环境重要化合物的低成本传感器。该项目集研究和培训于一体。它还将把纽约州立大学先进传感器和智能材料小组与南非电化学小组的互补专业知识结合起来，进行一项研究，这项研究对了解聚合物和纳米粒子之间的协同作用具有重要意义。研究受益于这两个国际团队的互补专业知识：纽约州立大学宾厄姆顿分校的电活性透明导电膜的开发和精确表征，以及西开普省大学的电化学能力。研究人员将在西开普省大学举办电化学和传感器讲习班，目的是为研究培训、课堂教学和社区宣传编写材料。美国学生将花时间在西开普省大学进行研究，开发新的智能设备，这种设备很容易制造，但不需要复杂的电子设备来调节开关动作。该项目将促进低成本电化学传感器在解决全球环境污染方面的应用，特别是对发展中国家。该奖项由材料研究部和国际科学与工程办公室共同资助。

The goal of this project is to probe the mechanism of how the electroactivity of conducting polymers can be significantly influenced by the sequestered nanoparticles surface plasmons, which can then be modulated by electrochemical switching. A fundamental understanding of the new synergistic properties that may arise from these studies can enable the development of plasmonic devices. Polymer-nanoparticle interactions are important in many areas of research-from sensors to microelectronics and photovoltaics. The investigators have developed the technology for nanostructured poly(amic acid) films that are electroactive and transparent by preventing its imidization to polyimide, while retaining its carboxylic acid and amine functionalities. They study the fundamentals of conducting polymer-metal nanoparticles synergies. A range of new conducting poly(amic acid)/metal composite films will be developed and characterized. The effect of composition and microstructure on the optical and electrochemical properties of the polymer/metal composite materials will be studied. The materials to be developed and the transferable skills of the investigators will be shared between SUNY-Binghamton and their partners at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa during exchange visits. The final goal is to develop low cost sensors for environmentally important compounds.This project integrates research and training. It will also combine the complementary expertise of the SUNY advanced sensors and smart materials group with the South Africa's electrochemistry group in a study that has significant implications to understand the synergy between polymers and nanoparticles. The research benefits arising from the complementary expertise of these two international teams: development and precision characterization of conducting membranes that are electroactive and transparent at SUNY-Binghamton, and electrochemistry capabilities at the U. of the Western Cape. The investigators will conduct electrochemistry and sensors workshop at the University of the Western Cape with the goal of developing materials for research training, classroom instruction and outreach to the community. US students will spend time doing research at the U. of the Western Cape developing new, smart devices, which are easy to fabricate but do not require complicated electronics to modulate the switching action. This project will promote the application of low-cost electrochemical sensors in addressing global, environmental pollution, particularly for developing countries.This award is co-funded by the Division of Materials Research and the Office of International Science and Engineering.