Designer Architectural Materials from Block Copolymers

我们的研究主要集中在嵌段共聚粒子或嵌段共聚/无机杂化粒子衍生的设计型建筑材料的制备、研究和应用。这些颗粒是纳米或微米大小的，其结构、大小和功能都可以精确控制。我们开发了新的通用方法来制备这些粒子，并创造了许多前所未有的结构，如嵌段共聚纳米纤维和纳米管。我们研究了我们创作的物理属性，并开发了实验方法来表征和操纵这些建筑。此外，我们将这些颗粒整合到配方中或从宏观上将它们组织成有用的形式，以探索所得到的建筑材料的工业应用。例如，我们制备的某些油分散聚合物纳米球被发现可以显著提高发动机油的减摩能力。有朝一日，这些纳米球可能会被用作发动机油的添加剂，以降低燃油消耗，延长发动机的使用寿命。我们开发的耐久拒油拒水涂料可应用于纺织品、玻璃、金属等基材上。这些技术已经授权给安大略省的一家公司，也引起了许多跨国公司的兴趣。有朝一日，它们可能会被用来制造手持电子设备的防指纹涂层，船舶上的防污涂层，纪念碑和雕像的防涂鸦涂层，以及抗化学物质的实验室大衣和军服。这笔赠款旨在促进嵌段共聚和嵌段共聚/无机建筑材料的研究。此外，它还将产生创造有利于加拿大经济和社会的产品所需的知识，并帮助培训高素质的聚合物材料科学研究人员。

Our research focuses on the preparation, study, and application of designer architectural materials derived from block copolymer particles or block copolymer/inorganic hybrid particles. These particles are nanometer- or micrometer-sized with precisely-controlled architecture, size, and functionality. We develop novel general methodologies for the preparation of these particles and have created many kinds of unprecedented architectures, such as block copolymer nanofibers and nanotubes. We investigate the physical properties of our creations and develop experimental methods for the characterization and manipulation of these architectures. In addition, we integrate these particles into formulations or organize them macroscopically into useful forms to explore the industrial applications of the resultant architectural materials. For example, certain oil-dispersible polymer nanospheres prepared by us have been discovered to dramatically enhance the friction reduction capabilities of engine oils. These nanospheres may be used one day as additives in engine oils to reduce fuel consumption and extend lifetimes of engines. Durable oil- and water-repellent coatings developed by us can be applied onto textiles, glasses, metals, and other substrates. These technologies have been licensed to an Ontario company and are also generating interests from many multinational corporations. They may one day be used to fabricate fingerprint-resistant coatings for hand-held electronic devices, anti-fouling coatings on ships, anti-graffiti coatings for monuments and statues, and chemical-repellant laboratory coats and military uniforms. This grant is sought to advance the research of block copolymer and block copolymer/inorganic architectural materials. Also, it will generate the knowledge required to create products that benefit Canada's economy and society and help train highly qualified researchers in polymer materials science.