Designer Architectural Materials from Block Copolymers

我们的研究重点是从嵌段共聚物颗粒或嵌段共聚物/无机杂化颗粒衍生的设计师建筑材料的制备，研究和应用。 这些颗粒是纳米或微米尺寸的，具有精确控制的结构、尺寸和功能。 我们开发了新的一般方法来制备这些颗粒，并创造了许多种前所未有的架构，如嵌段共聚物纳米纤维和纳米管。 我们调查我们的作品的物理特性，并开发实验方法，这些架构的表征和操作。 此外，我们将这些颗粒整合到配方中，或将它们宏观地组织成有用的形式，以探索所得建筑材料的工业应用。 例如，已经发现我们制备的某些油分散性聚合物纳米球可以显著提高发动机油的减摩能力。 这些纳米球有一天可能会用作发动机油的添加剂，以减少燃料消耗并延长发动机的寿命。 我们开发的耐用防油和防水涂料可用于纺织品、玻璃、金属和其他基材。 这些技术已被许可给一家安大略公司，并引起许多跨国公司的兴趣。 有朝一日，它们可能会被用于制造手持式电子设备的防指纹涂层、船舶防污涂层、纪念碑和雕像的防涂鸦涂层，以及防化学品的实验室外套和军装。 本基金旨在推动嵌段共聚物及嵌段共聚物/无机建筑材料的研究。 此外，它将产生创造有利于加拿大经济和社会的产品所需的知识，并帮助培养高素质的高分子材料科学研究人员。

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.