Measurement of The Flory Huggins Interaction Parameter of PHA-PS and PHA-PLA

School Name

Governor's School for Science & Mathematics

Grade Level

12th Grade

Presentation Topic

Chemistry

Presentation Type

Mentored

Mentor

Mentor: Morgan Stefik, University of South Carolina

Oral Presentation Award

4th Place

Written Paper Award

3rd Place

Abstract

The Flory-Huggins Interaction Parameter is the repulsive force between two diblock copolymers; diblock copolymers being unique with the ability to transform into many different known morphologies and the ability to retain properties of the two different copolymer chains consisting the diblock. In this experiment, the novel polymers, PHA-PLA [HL] and PHA-PS [HS], were studied for their previously not characterized parameters. After synthesizing the polymers accordingly, the polymers are then characterized through gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) verifying their successful synthesis. The polymers are then prepared in slides to be studied through small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS). To study a polymer’s Flory-Huggins Interaction, the polymer must be in its molten form, or the disordered morphology. As temperature rises, the Flory-Huggins Interaction Parameter decreases and eventually results in the disordered morphology, a mixed pool of the copolymers. After attempting to disorder the polymer using Linkam, the polymers were then observed to be ordered. The polymers were found to be robust and maintain a low, however not specified, Flory-Huggins Interaction Parameter through comparison to other similar polymers.

Location

Wall 226

Start Date

3-25-2017 10:15 AM

Presentation Format

Oral and Written

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Mar 25th, 10:15 AM

Measurement of The Flory Huggins Interaction Parameter of PHA-PS and PHA-PLA

Wall 226

The Flory-Huggins Interaction Parameter is the repulsive force between two diblock copolymers; diblock copolymers being unique with the ability to transform into many different known morphologies and the ability to retain properties of the two different copolymer chains consisting the diblock. In this experiment, the novel polymers, PHA-PLA [HL] and PHA-PS [HS], were studied for their previously not characterized parameters. After synthesizing the polymers accordingly, the polymers are then characterized through gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) verifying their successful synthesis. The polymers are then prepared in slides to be studied through small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS). To study a polymer’s Flory-Huggins Interaction, the polymer must be in its molten form, or the disordered morphology. As temperature rises, the Flory-Huggins Interaction Parameter decreases and eventually results in the disordered morphology, a mixed pool of the copolymers. After attempting to disorder the polymer using Linkam, the polymers were then observed to be ordered. The polymers were found to be robust and maintain a low, however not specified, Flory-Huggins Interaction Parameter through comparison to other similar polymers.