Direct observation of polymer chain structures and dynamics inside bulk by atomic-resolution electron microscopy

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K15330
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 35010:Polymer chemistry-related
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Miyata Tomohiro 東北大学, 多元物質科学研究所, 助教 (10838949)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 高分子 / 単一分子鎖 / 走査透過型電子顕微鏡 / 原子分解能観察 / 立体配置 / 立体配座 / 吸着構造

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have developed a technique for directly observing the heavy atoms in polymer chains with atomic-resolution electron microscopy to reveal the structures and dynamic behaviors of single polymer chains at the atomic level. By combining the observed images with molecular mechanics simulations and a machine learning technique, we speculated the atomic-scale 3D structures of single polymer chains. The deformation behaviors of polymer chains were also observed. Furthermore, the morphology of individual polymer chains adsorbed on inorganic nanoparticles inside a polymer film was clarified by direct observation.

Free Research Field

高分子材料の電子顕微鏡観察

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまで直接観察による解析が困難であった高分子鎖の一次構造（立体配置）および局所二次構造（立体配座）を直接観察に基づき推定する手法を構築した点や、高分子材料中の高分子鎖を直接観察する手法を確立した点に学術的意義がある。
また、高分子ナノコンポジットの材料特性に大きく関わる無機ナノ粒子への高分子鎖吸着構造を直接観察により明らかにしたことは、産業的に大きな意義がある。