• Silylation
• Graft Polymerization
• Topology of Grafted Polymers
• Surface Properties (e.g., wettability, Charge, adsorptive potential)
• Surface Crystallization

Research work on chemically-modified interfaces deals with the preparation, characterization, and applications of surfaces onto which macromolecules or organosilanes are adsorbed or chemically grafted. An important component of the program deals with the kinetics of silylation and graft-polymerization, atmospheric plasma-induced graft polymerization, the topology and surface properties of surface layers formed by the above methods and the dynamics of  tethered polymer chains.

Polymer-solid interfaces are relevant to various applications such as low-fouling polymer-modified membrane, liquid chromatography of synthetic and biopolymers and water reclamation with ceramic-polymer resins. Other application areas include chemical sensors, biocompatibility of synthetic surfaces and adhesion improvement in polymer composites. Graft-polymerization techniques developed at PolySep have been applied to the synthesis of novel grafted polymer-silica (GPS) separation resins and ceramic- supported polymer (CSP) membranes. Our patented CSP membranes are effective for pervaporation applications and as low-fouling ultrafiltration membranes. Our GPS resins are being evaluated for high performance size exclusion chromatography of polyelecrolytes and proteins as well as the adsorptive removal of low solubility organics from contaminated water. Recent work also includes the development of fouling-resistant membranes and multi-array chemical sensors.

Last update:

10/28/2004