Monodisperse Block Copolymers for Environmentally-Friendly Processing of Aqueous Metal Oxide Suspensions

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University, Blacksburg VA

Investigators

Abstract

0086876 Davis The objective of this research is to make new biopolymers to stabilize aqueous suspensions of inorganic colloidal particles. Such suspensions are used in processes for making microelectronics, structural ceramics, filled adhesives, coatings, biomedical devices and personal care products. A problem common to all of these applications lies in controlling the state of aggregation of the suspensions. Particle aggregation leads to higher viscosities and sedimentation of the solid particles, effects that are very undesirable for suspension processing and application. Additionally, many particle processes still employ organic solvents, but environmental concerns will soon require that the fluid phase for suspension processing be converted from organic solvents to water. Prior research indicates that copolymers of amino acids have the potential to form stabilizing molecules for metal oxide nanoparticles. The structures to be developed are diblock and triblock copolymers of amino acids that have an adsorbing anchor block and a non-adsorbing tail block. Two approaches to biosynthesis of these structures will be studied: 1) to engineer E. Coli to produce monodisperse diblock and triblock copolymers that stabilize alumina nanoparticles and 2) to screen combinatorial libraries of polypeptides for anchor block candidates for aluminum oxide particles. This grant is made pursuant to Solicitation NSF 00-49, New Technologies for the Environment. ***