Investigating Block Chemistry and Branching Effects on Block Copolymer Self-Assembly

Project Description

Block copolymers self-assemble into nanoscale structures, making them valuable for various applications. While polymer architecture is crucial for self-assembly, rapidly producing and characterizing diverse designs is challenging. This project aims to expand the understanding of structure-property relationships in block copolymers by systematically varying parameters like chain-end identity, block chemistry, branching, and structural asymmetry. Controlled polymerization generates parent copolymers, which are separated into well-defined materials through automated chromatography for further modification via automated synthesis. Small-angle X-ray scattering characterizes these materials, revealing morphological evolution as a function of architecture. By incorporating high-throughput processes, this approach accelerates the discovery of novel block copolymer phase behavior and enables the creation of comprehensive phase diagrams with exceptional compositional and structural resolution.

Instruments