Soft materials include gels, polymers, colloidal materials, and of course biological materials. They are characterized by weak intermolecular interactions, which results in them being flexible and susceptible to thermal fluctuations. They tend to form from self-assembly of molecular components. Our research focuses on relationships between structure and material properties, where we use scattering techniques to study structure over a wide range of length scales.
Current projects:Polymeric Materials for Fuel CellsOther Projects:Competition Between Phase Separation and Crystallization in Colloid-Polymer MixturesYeild-Stress Fluids Particle Membranes Soft Colloidal Particles Lipid Vesicles |
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Anion-conducting Polymer MembranesAnion-conducting polymers conduct anions, generally OH-, rather than protons. This type of membrane has advanatages over the standard proton-conducting form. Because the environment is basic rather than acidic, restrictions on catalysts are less severe - platinum is not required! These materials also show improved water management and reduced gas crossover. Our recent projects have focused on studying a family of anion-conducting polymers by medium- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (MAXS and WAXS) combined with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The polymers are based on a methylated version of poly(benzimidazole) called hexamethyl-p-terphenylene-poly(methylbenzimidazolium) (HMT-PMBI). |
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| The graph to the right shows MAXS and WAXS data for a series with different charge content. MAXS revealed an interesting lack of both phase separation of hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions and ion-clustering, unusual in good ion-conducting polymers. WAXS revealed an amorphous structure with two main sub-nm length scales. By comparing MD simulations to WAXS data, we attributed the observed scattering features to (1) interchain spacing between the polymer chains and (2) correlation between the positively charged backbone and associated anions. Overall, we have confirmed the interpretation of scattering data by combining MD simulations and scattering experiments. |
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| We have confirmed the interpretation of scattering data through MD simulations. For further details, please see J. Phys. Chem. 122, pp 1730-1737 (2018). |
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Graft Copolymer MembranesWe studied two groups of graft copolymers consisting of a hydrophobic (PVDF) backbone and hydrophilic (sPS) side-chains. The length of the sPS block and its charge content were varied systematically during synthesis. The series of graft copolymers with lower graft density showed some crystallinity and poorer phase separation, consistent with crystallinity impeding phase separation. These samples also had slightly lower conductivity, supporting the view that better phase separation leads to better conductivity.We concluded that details of the morphology of the fluorous domains, such as their size or organization, do not have a direct impact on swelling or conductivity. But the ability to control water uptake and phase separation through crystallinity of the fluorous domains or the amount of PVDF in the sample has a large impact on the conductivity for a given charge content. The ability to control water uptake through control of molecular architecture is thus a key feature in design of these materials. |
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The graph to the right shows SANS scattering spectra for a lower graft density sample in four water mixtures: 100% D2O, 100% H2O, 60% D2O:40% H2O, and 70% D2O:30% H2O. Scattering data revealed a three-phase system consisting of PVDF domains in a matrix consisting of PS-rich and SPS-rich regions. For further details, please see Macromolecules 46, pp 9676-9687, (2013). |
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AB Di-Block Copolymer MembranesDi-block copolymers are interesting model materials that can be used to study transport properties of polymers. We studied materials made up of a hydrophilic, proton-conducting block (sPS) and a hydrophobic (PVDF) block. In di-block copolymers, different structure can be achieved by varying the relative block sizes, as shown schematically in the figure below. |
This graph shows scattering spectra for three samples in a series consisting of a poly(vinylidene difluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) block and a sulfonated polystyrene block where the sulfonation rate is increased from 22% (1A) to 40% (1C). For further details, please see Macromolecules 39, pp 720-730 (2006).  |
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| Phase separation and crystallization play crucial roles in the development of materials including plastics and metal alloys. We are investigating the interplay between these phenomena in colloid-polymer systems where the interaction potential can be precisely tuned by changing the size and concentration of polymer and colloid. In particular, we are studying domain growth and crystallization in colloid-polymer samples that demonstrate gas-crystal and gas-liquid-crystal coexistence. In addition to ground-based studies, we are participating in experiments on the International Space Station. Three samples demonstrating gas-liquid-crystal coexistence were studied as part of BCAT5, a glove-box apparatus installed in the International Space Station. | ||
Photo of BCAT 5 apparatus on the International Space Station. The apparatus contains 10 colloidal samples; Samples 6, 7, and 8 are the SFU samples. |
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In collaboration with John de Bruyn (MUN), we studied properties of yield-stress fluids from both a macroscopic and microscopic perspective. Yield-stress fluids are materials that are solid at low stress but will flow above a well-defined stress threshold. Examples include mayonnaise, shaving cream and paint. We are studying diffusion and viscosity in a variety of systems in order to uncover universal aspects of this interesting class of materials. Currently, we are investigating the properties of Carbopol solutions, where Carbopol is a material used as a thickener in many personal care products, using both light scattering and light microscopy to track movement of probe particles inside the material. For further details, please see Phys. Rev. E 83, 031401 (2001) and Rheol. Acta 51, pp 441-450 (2012). |
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We experimented with proton-conducting membranes made from particles with charged shells and hydrophobic cores. Membranes were formed first by drying solutions of polymer particles and then incubating the dried film above the glass transition temperature of the polymer, so that the polymer chains from adjacent particles entangled to form a stable film. The conductivity of the particle films is higher than other films of the same composition showing the impact of structural design. |
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We investigated the properties of colloidal gel particles made from poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) [PNIPAM]. These particles are very swollen at low temperatures
but collapse above a well defined transition temperature. We studied the heterogeneity of the particles as a function of crosslinking density as well as viscosity and packing of the particles in solution as a function of concentration. We have also used them as a test particle in investigations of the formation of porous membranes
from colloidal particles. For details: Langumir 19 5212-5216 (2003) and Langumir 19 5217-5222 (2003).
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| Vesicles are quasi-spherical shells formed from lipid bilayers. They occur naturally in cells where they are used for intra- and inter-cellular transport but they can also be produced in the lab where they are used as model membranes and in pharmaceutical applications, specifically for drug delivery. We studied on understanding the extrusion process by which they are made. Vesicle formation by extrusion involves using an applied pressure to push lipid solution through a membrane filter consisting of cylindrical pores. During this process, large structures consisting of many lipid bilayers are broken up into quasi-spherical shells approximately the same size as the pores, and consisting of only a single bilayer. Results from systematic investigation of the properties of lipid vesicles have been used to develop a method of measuring the lysis tension of lipid vesicles and to develop models of the extrusion process. For further details, please see Biophys. J. 74, pp 2996-3002 (1998) and Biophys. J. 85, pp 996-1004 (2003). |
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