Block Copolymer Based Porous Nanostructures from Non-Equilibrium Processes

非技术总结本项目是关于使用新型非平衡工艺由专用塑料材料（“嵌段共聚物”）制成的先进多孔纳米结构。 它将促进对如何可控地推动基于聚合物的材料系统远离平衡的基本原理的科学理解，从而成功地产生多孔非对称膜或高度有序的（“单晶”）纳米结构。该项目可能在一系列重要的技术领域产生深远的影响。例如，如果成功，该项目将为高分辨率生物制药分离应用提供先进的膜材料，并将允许使用多孔聚合物模具将金属或半导体等高熔点材料结构化为微电子行业感兴趣的周期性有序多孔单晶纳米结构。除了在技术发展的一些领域为社会带来预期的好处外，该项目还将通过促进不同范围的学生对科学、技术、工程和数学（STEM）领域的兴趣来支持教育和多样性。和使用非平衡形成方法获得的多孔嵌段共聚物定向纳米结构的形成机理。两种不同的方法将采用ABC三嵌段自组装：一个提交的三元共聚物非溶剂诱导的相分离，使不对称膜的形成，其他瞬态激光加热访问温度处理制度迄今尚未探索的聚合物。该计划的目的是了解潜在的基本化学，物理和动力学形成原理，使结果推广到其他类别的材料。拟议的研究包括合成的所有组件，使用两个非平衡形成原理的多孔纳米结构材料的制备，并使用各种散射和电子显微镜技术的最终组装结构的表征。跨学科性将是这项工作的一个主要特点。该方案将进一步涉及人力资源的培训和开发，包括代表性不足的群体的参与和工业推广。

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARYThis project is on advanced porous nanostructures made from specialized plastic materials ("block copolymers") using novel non-equilibrium processes. It will promote scientific understanding of the fundamental principles of how to controllably push polymer-based materials systems away from equilibrium towards the successful generation of porous asymmetric membranes or highly ordered ("single-crystal") nanostructures. The project may offer profound impact in a range of technologically important areas. For example, if successful, the project will provide advanced membrane materials for applications in high-resolution biopharmaceutical separations and will allow use of porous polymer molds to structure higher-melting materials like metals or semiconductors into periodically ordered porous single-crystal nanostructures of interest in the microelectronic industry. Besides expected benefits for society in a number of areas of technology development, the project will also support education and diversity by promoting interest of a diverse range of students in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.TECHNICAL SUMMARYThis project aims to investigate the synthesis and preparation, characterization, and formation mechanisms of porous block copolymer directed nanostructures obtained using non-equilibrium formation processes. Two distinct approaches will be pursued employing ABC triblock terpolymer self-assembly: One submits the terpolymers to non-solvent induced phase separation enabling asymmetric membrane formation, the other to transient laser heating to access temperature processing regimes hitherto unexplored for polymers. The aim of the proposed program is to understand the underlying fundamental chemical, physical and kinetic formation principles enabling generalization of results to other classes of materials. The proposed research includes synthesis of all components, preparation of porous nanostructured materials using the two non-equilibrium formation principles, and characterization of the final assembly structures using various scattering and electron microscopy techniques. Interdisciplinarity will be a central feature of the effort. The program will further involve training and development of human resources, including the participation of underrepresented groups, and industrial outreach.