CAREER: Ring-Opening Polymerization-Induced Crystallization-Driven Self-Assembly

University Of California-Irvine, Irvine CA

Investigators

Abstract

PART 1: NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY Polymers are essential for our everyday lives. However, the problem of global plastics waste is a critical one. In addition, the polymer industry has a high energy demand. This project will aid our transition towards a sustainable polymer industry by developing and studying energy-efficient chemistries to create biodegradable, biocompatible, and renewably sourced polymeric materials. To achieve this goal, this project will study how polymer molecules assemble and organize themselves into different structures as they are created through polymerization methods. This is important because the properties of polymeric materials are dependent on how they organize at the nano-, micro- and macro- scales. Highly advanced electron microscopic techniques will be utilized in this project to watch the polymers organize into structures in real time. This knowledge will help us to understand why different chemistries and different polymers form different types of structures. Ultimately, this knowledge will help us to design polymers with useful properties using sustainable chemistries. Through this project, the next generation of polymer scientists will be trained on advanced analytical tools to provide a fundamental understanding across the field. Furthermore, the retention in polymer science will be impacted by using inclusive teaching and mentoring practices throughout the project. PART 2: TECHNICAL SUMMARY The objective for this CAREER project is to develop methods to understand and control the mechanisms that drive ring-opening polymerization-induced crystallization-driven self-assembly of block copolymers. Investigation of the mechanisms and structures will be achieved by developing reactions to control the thermodynamics and kinetics of polymerization and self-assembly and by utilizing liquid and cryogenic electron microscopy and X-ray scattering methods. To provide a link between the polymer chemistry and the formation of hierarchical structures, the project will study the relationship between reaction rates and self-assembly mechanisms. The research themes are tightly integrated into educational activities, including the development of a new, joint graduate-undergraduate level course, which will be developed into an online course through the UCI OpenChem program. Additionally, active learning methods in general chemistry and K-12 polymer-based outreach modules will be developed. The integrated educational and research plans meet the urgent needs of transitioning towards a sustainable materials economy and training students in the fundamentals of analytical polymer science, preparing them to enter and lead the future STEM workforce. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.