Chemically Functionalized Nanoparticles: Tailored Ligand Chemistry for Integration of Nanoparticles into Polymer Materials and Functional Assemblies

University Of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst MA

Investigators

Abstract

With this award, the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program is supporting the research of Professor Todd Emrick of the Polymer Science & Engineering Department at the University of Massachusetts. The project is focused on developing chemical strategies that render nanoparticles compatible with polymer materials by attachment of polymer chains to the nanoparticle surface. This technique allows the particles to mix freely within plastics, foams, or rubbery materials enabling a communication between the nanoparticles and polymers that takes full advantage of the properties of each component in any given material. Success in the project will alter today's nanoparticle-polymer technologies and bring about advances in areas that include light-emitting devices, photovoltaic materials, and polymer coatings. Graduate and undergraduate students will work in concert on this project, with their results contributing to fundamental science, targeted technologies, and an innovative interdisciplinary curriculum that is developing at the University of Massachusetts in the areas of nanoscience and nanotechnology.