Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Unprecedented advances in the synthesis of tailor-made, advanced polymers has led to their integration into numerous, next-generation technologies. Two specific areas where these advances are evident are Polymer Electrolytes for Fuel Cells and Semiconducting Plastics for Organic Electronics. Over the past 5 years, many groups worldwide, have applied design strategies based on the synthesis of nano-phase separated, multifunctional polymer films that enhance existing properties and stimulate new ones. The next important development in the evolution of polymer films for these emerging technologies involves design strategies that couple the flexibility and ease-of-processing characteristic of polymers with the formation of long range crystalline order that promotes a particular property - and in a particular direction. For example, anisotropy and direction of electron or ion transport needs to be controlled - even in thin polymer films. The theme of this research program is the exploration of the synthesis and self-organization of model polymers and complementary small molecules that enable one to probe effects of structure and molecular complementarity on self-organization of interpenetrating networks of functional polymers and aggregates of small molecules. Two quite different systems will be investigated: acid-bearing polymers and pi-conjugated polymers. These systems are of current interest because of their application in fuel cells and organic electronics. The program will mainly involve investigation of methods of synthesis and chemical characterization of functional polymers, but will encompass morphological, electronic, and electrochemical studies of the nanostructured polymer film, and their use in devices ranging from polymer electrolyte fuel cells, polymer photovoltaics, electroluminescent displays and field effect transistors.