A RIS treatment of the mean-square dipole moment of PMMA chains in consideration of the pendant ester group orientations

Multiple relaxation dynamics under electric field enables tunable viscoelastic response of poly(methyl methacrylate) above glass transition temperature

Optimizing mechanical performance is crucial for the practical utilization of stimuli-responsive polymers, while complex viscous and elastic behavior hinders a deep understanding of functional polymers under external field excitation. Here, we demonstrate the in situ dynamic and static mechanical responses under electric stimuli of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) above glass transition temperature (Tg) by applying a direct current electric field vertically to the mechanical loading. The results show that the electro-mechanical response of PMMA is directly correlated to chain relaxation modes with different length scales: for local segments, polarization provides resistance for molecular motion, manifested by enhanced moduli, increased transient viscosity, and a wider linear viscoelastic range, whereas in a larger spatial range, polarization-induced conformation change causes faster relaxation, reduced elastic modulus, and a lowered modulus plateau. Moreover, flow viscosity is reduced because of weaker friction between chain segments under polarization. Our results suggest effective strategies for precisely tuning the viscoelastic behavior of polymers above Tg through electric stimuli.

Electronic Tuning of Monolayer Graphene with Polymeric "Zwitterists"

Work function engineering of two-dimensional (2D) materials by application of polymer coatings represents a research thrust that promises to enhance the performance of electronic devices. While polymer zwitterions have been demonstrated to significantly modify the work function of both metal electrodes and 2D materials due to their dipole-rich structure, the impact of zwitterion chemical structure on work function modulation is not well understood. To address this knowledge gap, we synthesized a series of sulfobetaine-based zwitterionic random copolymers with variable substituents and used them in lithographic patterning for the preparation of negative-tone resists (i.e., "zwitterists") on monolayer graphene. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy indicated a significant work function reduction, as high as 1.5 eV, induced by all polymer zwitterions when applied as ultrathin films (<10 nm) on monolayer graphene. Of the polymers studied, the piperidinyl-substituted version, produced the largest dipole normal to the graphene sheet, thereby inducing the maximum work function reduction. Density functional theory calculations probed the influence of zwitterion composition on dipole orientation, while lithographic patterning allowed for evaluation of surface potential contrast via Kelvin probe force microscopy. Overall, this polymer "zwitterist" design holds promise for fine-tuning 2D materials electronics with spatial control based on the chemistry of the polymer coating and the dimensions of the lithographic patterning.

Vibrational nano-spectroscopic imaging correlating structure with intermolecular coupling and dynamics

Molecular self-assembly, the function of biomembranes and the performance of organic solar cells rely on nanoscale molecular interactions. Understanding and control of such materials have been impeded by difficulties in imaging their properties with the desired nanometre spatial resolution, attomolar sensitivity and intermolecular spectroscopic specificity. Here we implement vibrational scattering-scanning near-field optical microscopy with high spectral precision to investigate the structure–function relationship in nano-phase separated block copolymers. A vibrational resonance is used as a sensitive reporter of the local chemical environment and we image, with few nanometre spatial resolution and 0.2 cm⁻¹ spectral precision, solvatochromic Stark shifts and line broadening correlated with molecular-scale morphologies. We discriminate local variations in electric fields between nano-domains with quantitative agreement with dielectric continuum models. This ability to directly resolve nanoscale morphology and associated intermolecular interactions can form a basis for the systematic control of functionality in multicomponent soft matter systems.

Quantifying intermolecular coupling and local morphology is important to understand soft matter systems. Pollard et al. show how multispectral vibrational near-field optical microscopy can be used to image molecular-scale morphology and intermolecular interactions with nanometre spatial resolution.

A new method for quantifying the intensity of the C=C band of dimethacrylate dental monomers in their FTIR and Raman spectra

The degree of conversion (DC) of methacrylate dental resins is typically determined by spectroscopically measuring the decrease of the vinyl (C=C) stretching band at 1640 cm(-1), ratioed before and after polymerization to an internal standard (aromatic ring quadrant stretching vibration (Ph)) at around 1609 cm(-1). While standard methods exist for measuring the intensity of the C=C and Ph peaks from the FTIR or Raman spectrum, these methods either fail under certain circumstances, or lack a physical basis, being purely based on spectral features. In this study, we present a rigorous method (named rotational isomerism method) for determining the intensity of the vinyl and aromatic bands from the FTIR and Raman spectra of dental monomer mixtures, and compare it to a standard baseline method (SBM) and a standard curve fitting method. Model triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA)/2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane (Bisphenol-A) and TEGDMA/2,2-bis(4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloxypropoxy)phenyl)propane (Bis-GMA) mixtures with a series of known C=C/Ph molar ratios were prepared in order to simulate the effect of curing. The accuracy of the new method for measuring the DC was found to be as good as the commonly used SBM. The standard curve fitting method was shown to be inappropriate for measuring C=C/Ph ratios by FTIR spectroscopy due to its inability to realistically simulate the features of the spectra. The insight gained through the use of this new method may be useful for the characterization of other methacrylate biomaterials.