Block Copolymer Based Multicomponent Self-assembly of Porous Nanostructures From Non-equilibrium Processes

非技术概述：本项目涉及研究在外力作用下远离平衡的多组分聚合物（软物质）系统的自发结构形成。PI将专门研究使用嵌段共聚物（BCP）聚合物材料的多孔纳米结构的自组装。了解潜在的形成原理和控制多组分聚合物体系的性质是一个重要的基础和技术领域。如果成功，该项目将通过提供新颖和可扩展的方法来克服不对称超滤膜中尺寸选择性过滤的限制（这对于生物制药工业等很重要）或工业废水中成分的回收，从而促进科学的进步。它还将使人们能够获得软物质导向的高质量超导体，这些超导体具有源自增材制造的新型外形因素，这可能对量子信息或能源技术等领域产生影响。该研究项目是高度跨学科的，从多孔纳米结构的非平衡形成机制的合成和表征到聚合物衍生超导体及其性质的研究。因此，它将为本科生和研究生提供一个智力高度刺激的教育环境，以学习聚合物科学和工程及其应用的深度和广度。该方案将涉及人力资源培训和发展的各个组成部分，包括代表性不足的群体的参与以及工业外联。技术概述：本项目涉及研究基于嵌段共聚物（BCP）的多组分多孔纳米结构的合成、制备、表征、形成机制和性能，这些多孔纳米结构是通过非平衡形成过程自组装获得的。采用多组分聚合物系统，研究了两种不同的情况：第一种情况需要将两个或多个化学性质不同的bcp暴露于非溶剂诱导的相分离中形成不对称超滤膜。第二项研究涉及基于BCP自组装和3d打印的溶胶纳米颗粒复合材料，以及将其转化为具有新型纳米结构和外形因素的超导体。该研究计划的更广泛目标是了解潜在的基本化学，物理和动力学形成原理，从而能够基于对其纳米结构的控制生成具有迄今为止未知特性的材料。该研究将包括所有成分的合成，多孔纳米结构材料的制备，以及使用各种散射、显微镜、光谱学和性能测量技术表征其结构和性能。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY:This project involves investigation of the spontaneous structure formation of multicomponent polymer (soft matter) systems driven away from equilibrium by external forces. The PI will specifically study the self-assembly of of porous nanostructures using polymeric materials called block copolymers (BCP). Understanding the underlying formation principles and controlling the properties of multicomponent polymer systems driven away from equilibrium is an area of major fundamental as well as technological interest. If successful, the project will promote the progress of science by providing novel and scalable approaches to overcome limitations of size-selective filtration in asymmetric ultrafiltration membranes (which are important, e.g., for the biopharmaceutical industry) or for component recovery in industrial effluents. It will also enable access to soft-matter directed high-quality superconductors with novel form factors derived from additive manufacturing, which could have implications in areas including quantum information or energy technologies. The research program is highly cross-disciplinary, ranging from synthesis and characterization across non-equilibrium formation mechanisms of porous nanostructures to the study of polymer-derived superconductors and their properties. It would thus provide an intellectually highly stimulating educational environment for undergraduate and graduate students to learn about the depth and breadth of polymer science and engineering and its applications. The program will involve various components of training and development of human resources, including the participation of underrepresented groups, as well as industrial outreach.TECHNICAL SUMMARY:This project involves study of the synthesis, preparation, characterization, formation mechanisms, and properties of block copolymer (BCP) based multicomponent porous nanostructures obtained through self-assembly via non-equilibrium formation processes. Two different scenarios will be investigated employing multicomponent polymer systems: The first entails the formation of asymmetric ultrafiltration membranes from two or more chemically distinct BCPs exposed to non-solvent-induced phase separation. The second involves BCP self-assembly-based and 3D-printed sol nanoparticle composites and their conversion into superconductors with novel nanostructures and form factors. The broader aim of the research program is to understand the underlying fundamental chemical, physical, and kinetic formation principles enabling generation of materials with hitherto unknown property profiles based on control over their nanostructures. The research will include synthesis of all components, preparation of porous nanostructured materials, and characterization of their structure and properties using various scattering, microscopy, spectroscopy, and property measurement techniques. .This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.