Advisor: L.M. Walker and T. LaFollette.
Pluronic block copolymers (PEOn-PPOm-PEOn) self
assemble into thermoreversible ordered micelle
gels with increasing concentration and temperature. Pluronic
block copolymers have many applications including
protection of microorganisms from shear effects
in bioreactors and increasing the solubility of
hydrophobic compounds. Previous work has
shown that the interstitial spaces of these close-packed
micellar structures can be used to template monodisperse
hydrophilic nanoparticles to form nanocomposites. The
phase space of these nanocomposites is determined
experimentally and previous work has utilized globular
proteins as model monodisperse particles smaller
than 10nm. This project will continue the phase
space mapping with larger nanoparticles and study
the effects these particles have on the formation
of the ordered micelle gels. Major project
goals include mapping the phase space for several
pluronic nanocomposites, determining the optimal
template conditions based on particle size and
determining the upper limit for formation of the
ordered micelle gel with increased nanoparticle
size. Experimental techniques that will be
learned in this project include rheology, birefringence
and small angle x-ray scattering. |
