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Research Interests
Polymer synthesis and structure-property relationships,
Condensation polymers, Polymer nanocomposites, Fuel cell
durability, Polymerization catalysis, Transport phenomena
and packaging applications, Polymer blends and complex
polymer systems.
Overview of Research
Our research interests are based on the rational design and
synthesis of polymers, blends, and polymer composites which
target specific societal needs, or which allow for broad
fundamental questions to be answered. Underlying these
programs is the question of how one should design a material
that satisfies its intended use. In the area of
nanocomposites, a key feature is to design both matrix
polymer and the incorporated filler material such that
dispersion and compatibility will be high, rather than
simply mixing available materials. Also of interest to us is
the question of how nanocomposite structures change with
orientation – it is not clear that these heterogeneous
materials can generally withstand significant orientation
without sustaining mechanical damage. For applications, such
as fibers and films, nanocomposite systems will need to be
designed with orientation in mind. Much as is the case with
composites, new polymer blend systems require that all
polymer and compatibilizer components be specifically
designed to work with one another. The synthesis of these
components will be prepared in our research group, in
collaboration with our polymer physics colleagues, with whom
we will study the fundamentals of structure and hierarchy in
those blends, as well as evaluating their use in
commercially interesting applications. In the design of new
polymerization catalysts, our objective currently is to
understand the key interaction(s) which makes a catalyst
work in a specific reaction, then to develop a simple,
spectroscopic screening method which can predict, a priori,
whether a catalyst will be effective in that use. Once such
a screening methodology is established, then it can be
coupled with combinatorial methods for preparing libraries
of new catalyst compositions. Such an approach should be
more effective and efficient than synthesis and evaluation
of individual compositions. Condensation polymers continue
to be a broad area of interest to our group. The body of
knowledge that we have developed, primarily in the area of
semicrystalline and liquid crystalline polyesters, is being
broadened to include polyamides and polyurethanes. Synthesis
of new condensation polymers, determination of
structure-property relationships across families of such
polymers, and development of applications for these new
materials will continue.
Current Activity
One of our principal research areas recently has been in
the development of new copolyesters for use in packaging and
high performance fibers. From these programs, we have
developed in collaboration with Professors Baer and Hiltner,
a detailed and predictive transport model for oxygen and
carbon dioxide through these materials. Also resulting from
this effort was a more detailed understanding of the
mechanical and transport properties of “frustrated” liquid
crystalline polymers (LCP), and smectic LCPs. Another major
thrust area has been in nanocomposites, where we have
examined compatibility of fillers, such as smectic clays,
single and multi-walled carbon nanotubes, silsesquioxanes,
and magnetic nanoparticles in matrix polymers, such as PET
(and its copolymers), PP and PMMA, and have evaluated the
thermo-mechanical properties of the resultant composites. A
new area of research within our group is the study of how
fuel cell membranes change with use, and how to prolong the
lifetime of these important energy sources. We anticipate
that in the coming year, a new program in polymers from
renewable resources will be launched as well.
Recent Publications
“Temperature-Responsive
Clay Aerogel Polymer Composites,” S. Bandi, M.
Bell, D. A. Schiraldi, Macromolecules, 38,
9216-20 (2005). This paper was chosen by Science
as an “Editors’ Choice” paper as well: Science,
310(21), 407 October 2005.
“Reinforcement of Poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers with
Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes POSS,” J. Zeng, S.
Iyer, R. Gonzalez, S. Kumar, D. Schiraldi, High
Performance Polymers, 17, 403-424 (2005).
“Improving Oxygen Barrier Properties of Poly(ethylene
terephthalate) by Incorporating Isophthalate: I. Effect of
Orientation,” R. Y. F. Liu, Y. S. Hu, M. R. Hibbs, D. M.
Collard, D. A. Schiraldi, A. Hiltner, and E. Baer, J.
Appl. Polym Sci., 98, 1615-28 (2005).
“Thin-Film Polymerization and “RIS” Metropolis Monte Carlo
Simulation of Fluorinated Aromatic Poly(ester-amide)s,” M.M.
Teoh, T.-S. Chung, D. A. Schiraldi, and S.-X. Cheng,
Polymer, 46, 3914-26 (2005).
“Hydroquinone and Resorcinol-Containing Polyesters,” G. S.
Andrade, D. A. Schiraldi.
D. M. Collard, Macromol.
Chem. Phys.,
206,
1373-81 (2005).
“The Rapid Chain Extension of Anthracene-Functionalized
Polyesters by the Diels-Alder Reaction with Bismaleimides,”
R. M. Kriegel, K. L. Saliba, G. Jones, D. M. Collard and D.
A. Schiraldi, Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics,
206, 1479 (2005).
“Effect of Compatibilizer on the Oxygen-Barrier Properties
of Poly(ethylene terephthalate)/poly(m-xylylene adipamide)
Blends,” V. Prattipati, Y. S. Hu, S. Bandi, D. A.
Schiraldi, A. Hiltner, E. Baer, S. Mehta, J. Appl. Polym.
Sci.,
97,
1361-70 (2005).
“Responsive Polymer/Clay Aerogel Composites,” S. A. Bandi
and D. A. Schiraldi, Proc. Mater. Res. Soc., 847,
EE9.36.1-6 (2005).
“Effect of Water Sorption on Oxygen Barrier Properties of
Aromatic Polyamides,” Y. S. Hu, S. Mehta, D. A. Schiraldi,
A. Hiltner, and E. Baer, J. Polym. Sci. Phys, 43,
1365-81 (2005).
“Effects of Thermal Treatments and Dendrimers Chemical
Structures on the Properties of Highly Surface Cross-linked
Polyimide Films,” Y. Xiao, L. Shao, T.-S. Chung, and D. A.
Schiraldi, Industrial and Engineering Res., 44(9),
3059-67 (2005).
“The Mechanism of Color Generation in Poly(ethylene
terephthalate)/Polyamide Blends,” S. A. Bandi, S.
Mehta, and D. A. Schiraldi, Polym.
Degrad. Stabil.,
88,
341-8 (2005).
“The Structural Changes of Trisilanol Isooctyl Polyhedral
Oligomeric Silsesquioxane (T-POSS) During Heat Treatment at
Polymer Melt Processing Temperatures,” J. Zeng, C. Bennett,
W. Jarrett, S. Iyer, S. Kumar, L. J. Mathias, and D.
A. Schiraldi, Comp. Interfaces, 11,
673-87 (2005).
“Properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate) Containing
Epoxy-functionalized Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane,”
K. W. Yoon, M. B. Polk, J. H. Park, B. G. Min, D. A.
Schiraldi, Polym. Inter., 54(1), 47-53
(2005).
“Improving Gas Barrier of PET by Blending with Aromatic
Polyamides,” Y. S. Hu, V. Prattipati, S. Mehta, D. A.
Schiraldi, A. Hiltner, and E. Baer, Polymer, 46,
2685-98 (2005).
Awards
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