2020 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Hierarchically Ordered Nanocomposites based on Block Copolymers and Nanodiamonds
| Project/Area Number |
20K15347
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| Research Institution | Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University |
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Principal Investigator |
SUTISNA Burhannudin 沖縄科学技術大学院大学, 数理力学と材料科学ユニット, 研究員 (90866922)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2020-04-01 – 2022-03-31
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| Keywords | Block copolymers / Nanodiamonds / Nanocomposites / Self-assembly |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
I have thus far published an article (B. Sutisna, et al., Nanoscale, 2021, 13, 1639-8211;1651. doi: 10.1039/D0NR07441A), which presents a simple and scalable approach to form hybrid micelles by establishing H-bond interactions between an amphiphilic triblock terpolymer and hydroxyl-functionalized nanodiamonds (NDs). Coassembly between NDs and the terpolymer culminated in nanocomposite films with a remarkably uniform distribution of NDs at a high ND loading exceeding 50 wt%, which has never been previously reported, in addition to film transparency and UV-protective capability. We further showed for the first time the formation of a network-like superstructure with well-aligned NDs via a step-wise coassembly procedure. We have also experimentally elucidated a complex interplay between the terpolymer self-assembly in solution, terpolymer-ND interactions, and ND colloidal behavior during the structure formation. Our findings on BCP-guided assembly of NDs may lay an important foundation for further discoveries of hierarchically ordered nanocomposites, with the potential to benefit a wide range of disciplines from biology to computer science.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.
Reason
Around 50% of the project goals have been achieved thus far by successfully fabricating novel nanocomposites using one of the targeted materials systems. Some technical challenges that were encountered during the project could be solved effectively without affecting the continuation of the research. This is due to the discussion and collaboration with the colleagues and technical staffs at OIST. Furthermore, the current findings and understanding of how the block copolymers (BCPs) and nanodiamonds (NDs) coassemble are very useful for executing the next step of the research. Some experimental methods that have been developed thus far, such as air oxidation, sonication, and centrifugation techniques, can support the development of BCP-ND nanocomposites based on hydrophobic block copolymers and hydrophobic NDs that are planned for the next fiscal year.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
The next plan for the research is to investigate the coassembly between BCPs and NDs using a nonpolar interaction. A rather hydrophobic block copolymer, mainly poly(styrene-b-butadiene-b-styrene), will be used to guide the arrangement of NDs, which will be first functionalized by nonpolar groups through silanization. Some investigation will be conducted to push the size limit of NDs dispersed in nonpolar solvents by optimizing the sonication/centrifugation processes and the functionalization conditions. The potential applications of the fabricated nanocomposites will be explored by analyzing various reinforcement properties (mechanical, optical, thermal, etc.) to further reveal the advantages of having well-ordered ND arrangement in the nanocomposites.
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| Causes of Carryover |
Travel expenses were not used because of the COVID-19 pandemic and some conferences have been postponed to the next fiscal year. Some portion of the consumable costs will be allocated for the next fiscal year.
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Research Products
(1 results)
