Molecular Level Studies on Phthalates at Interfaces Using Nonlinear Optical Spectroscopic Techniques

化学系环境化学（ECS）项目将支持密歇根大学陈展教授的研究项目。陈教授和他的学生将使用和频产生（SFG）和相干反斯托克斯拉曼散射（CARS）光谱来揭示邻苯二甲酸盐（一种常用的增塑剂）在聚合物表面和对环境重要的模型表面/界面上的分离和分子结构。本研究旨在增加我们对邻苯二甲酸盐在表面和散装介质中的降解机制的理解，并阐明各种表面改性方法防止/减少聚合物体系中邻苯二甲酸盐浸出的分子机制。该研究将首次探索邻苯二甲酸盐在环境重要表面和界面上的界面行为。它将提供与环境有关的表面和界面上邻苯二甲酸酯结构及其浸出和降解特性之间的分子相关性。该项目最终将有助于设计和发展各种方法，以减少和尽量减少邻苯二甲酸盐对环境和人类健康的负面影响。该研究将为本科生和研究生开展具有重大社会意义的基础研究项目提供良好的教育机会。

The Environmental Chemical Sciences (ECS) program of the Division of Chemistry will support the research program of Prof. Zhan Chen of the University of Michigan. Prof. Chan and his students will employ sum frequency generation (SFG) and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) spectroscopy to reveal segregation and molecular structures of phthalates, which are commonly used plasticizers, on polymer surfaces and on environmentally important model surfaces/interfaces. The study aims to increase our understanding of degradation mechanisms of phthalates on surfaces and in bulk media, and to elucidate molecular mechanisms of various surface modification methods to prevent/reduce phthalate leaching from polymer systems. The study will probe for the first time the interfacial behavior of phthalates at environmentally important surfaces and interfaces in situ. It will provide molecular correlations between phthalate structure on environmentally relevant surfaces and interfaces and their leaching and degradation properties. The project will ultimately aid in the design and development of methodologies to reduce and minimize phthalates' negative impacts on the environment and human health. The study will provide an excellent educational opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to carry out a fundamental research project of great societal importance.