| NSF Org: |
CBET Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | August 8, 2014 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | August 8, 2014 |
| Award Number: | 1438240 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
susan muller
CBET Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems ENG Directorate for Engineering |
| Start Date: | September 15, 2014 |
| End Date: | August 31, 2017 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $298,661.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $298,661.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
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| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
3141 CHESTNUT ST PHILADELPHIA PA US 19104-2875 (215)895-6342 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
PA US 19104-2737 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): | PMP-Particul&MultiphaseProcess |
| Primary Program Source: |
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| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.041 |
ABSTRACT
CBET 1438240
Nanometer-sized particles are often used as building blocks to fabricate materials with advanced functionality and unique properties. To take advantage of their fascinating optical, electronic and magnetic properties, nanoparticles must be assembled into desired structures for specific technological applications. Most studies of nanoparticle assembly use spherical nanoparticles that are uniformly coated with surfactants and/or polymers. Assembly of these particles leads to phases with simple symmetries. However, if "patches" with distinct chemical properties can be introduced onto the surfaces of the nanoparticles, the resulting ensemble structures can be much more complex with properties that can be better tailored for specific applications. This project aims to investigate a novel method to synthesize patchy nanoparticles and to explore their self-assembled structures for optical and electronic applications.
While computer simulation suggests that a wide range of structures can be obtained by patchy particles, limited experimental work has been reported. The main reason is the lack of experimental approaches to synthesize particles with controlled patches. The newly developed polymer-single-crystal-templating method will be used to synthesize 5-100 nm diameter multicompartment nanoparticles, and to form complex multicompartment ensembles using self- and programmable assembly. The nanoparticles will have a uniform central core and a shell made up of multicompartment polymer brushes. The conformation of the polymer chains and the corresponding nanoparticle ensembles can be made responsive to external stimuli such as pH, temperature and/or solvents. The project will lead to a library of new nanoparticle structures for fundamental scientific study and technological applications.
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH
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PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
OUTCOME
Intellectual Merit:
Nanometer-sized particles are arguably the most important building blocks for future advanced functional materials. To transfer their fascinating optical, electronic and magnetic properties from nano- to macro- scales, these nanoparticles need to be assembled into desired structures for targeted applications. Most of the reported studies use spherical nanoparticles uniformly coated with surfactants and/or polymers. Assembly of these particles leads to phases with simple symmetries. If “patches” with distinct chemical properties can be introduced to a nanoparticle, the corresponding ensemble structures could be much more complex, and their properties are of great interests. This work developed a polymer single crystal template method to guide nanoparticle assembly. A variety of novel structures has been fabricated. Furthermore, we demonstrated that these qusi-two-dimensional polymer-nanoparticle hybrids can find numerous applications ranging from nanomotors to surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy.
Broader impact:
Our research work has demonstrated a new field of study: using polymer single crystal growth to functionalized and pattern nanoparticles. The demonstrated nanomotor application is of particular interests. We have trained three phd students. One has graduated and two have started their research. We have also trained BS/MS students and undergraduate students. Research results in this project have been published in scientific journals, presented in scientific meetings. They have also been used in classroom teaching, and our outreach program such as Philly Materials Day.
Last Modified: 01/29/2018
Modified by: Christopher Li
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