Designer Architectural Materials from Block Copolymers

我们的研究重点是嵌段共聚物颗粒或嵌段共聚物/无机杂化颗粒衍生的设计建筑材料的制备、研究和应用。这些粒子是纳米级或微米级的，具有精确控制的结构、大小和功能。我们开发了新的通用方法来制备这些颗粒，并创造了许多前所未有的结构，如嵌段共聚物纳米纤维和纳米管。我们研究了我们创作的物理特性，并开发了表征和操纵这些体系结构的实验方法。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，以探索由此产生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已被发现能显著提高发动机油的减摩能力。这些纳米球可能有一天会被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。它们可能有一天会被用于制造手持式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，以及化学防护实验室外套和军装。该基金旨在推动嵌段共聚物和嵌段共聚物/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，并帮助培养高分子材料科学方面的高素质研究人员。

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.