Center for Functional Nanomaterials Seminar

The effect of surfaces on the conformation of polymer chains has been well documented in thin film geometries. In addition to changes in polymer conformation, which can affect phase behavior and equilibrium properties, surfaces also have a profound effect on the mobility of polymer chains. What is surprising is that surfaces effects can propagate a fair distance away from the surface region. This change in the mobility of polymer chains has been attributed as being responsible for a large number of effects ranging from a reduction in the glass transition temperature of the polymer, to increasing the yield strength of polymer composites.

Using mean field theories and computer simulations, we look at surface and near surface effects on polymer conformation and dynamics. We present some results on the reduced mobility of polymers near surfaces and the resulting effect on changes in the glass transition temperature of thin films. We also show how with the addition of nanofillers to polymer matrices, the large increase in surfaces cause very large effects in polymeric materials, even at lower concentrations. We examine the ability of nanofillers to reduce slip at the interface between polymer blends, and how nanofillers can be used as flame retardant materials in polymer matrices.