Polymer Chemistry at UB
The world of materials has benefited from the ubiquitous presence of polymeric building blocks that are available from inexpensive feedstocks, and exhibit a wide range of properties due to their chemical versatility and unique molecular length scale. The solid state structure and properties of polymeric materials are influenced by the flexibility of polymer chains, the strength of intramolecular and intermolecular interactions, and their ability to pack into crystalline phases or undergo phase separation to form supramolecular assemblies. At the molecular level, polymer chemists have been refining synthetic methods to control macromolecular structure, such as the chemical identity of the repeat units (including stereochemistry), the distribution of repeat units along the chain (sequence), the nature of end groups, chain length and chain length distribution, and polymer architecture. Our group has been particularly interested in studying non-linear polymers, and developing tools to control the materials structure and properties through polymer architecture. The main thrust is centered around comb-like macromolecules called bottlebrush copolymers as building blocks for nanoscale assemblies and functional materials. We are inspired by the diverse functions of biological macromolecules brought about by their well-defined shapes (including the ones with the bottlebrush architecture) and motivated by the discovery of new phenomena in shape-persistent polymer self-assembly and polymer materials design for energy and health-realted applications. Current projects in the group focus both on creating new materials with desirable structures using bottlebrush building blocks and developing methods to break down commodity plastics to allevaiate the environmental concerns. Multidisciplinary nature of the program allows students to acquire diverse synthetic and analytical skills and develop broad scientific vision. The Rzayev group is committed to maintaining a working environment that encourages mutual respect, promotes civil and collaborative relationships among members, and is free from all forms of harassment and violence.
Polymer Chemistry at UB
The world of materials has benefited from the ubiquitous presence of polymeric building blocks that are available from inexpensive feedstocks, and exhibit a wide range of properties due to their chemical versatility and unique molecular length scale. The solid state structure and properties of polymeric materials are influenced by the flexibility of polymer chains, the strength of intramolecular and intermolecular interactions, and their ability to pack into crystalline phases or undergo phase separation to form supramolecular assemblies. At the molecular level, polymer chemists have been refining synthetic methods to control macromolecular structure, such as the chemical identity of the repeat units (including stereochemistry), the distribution of repeat units along the chain (sequence), the nature of end groups, chain length and chain length distribution, and polymer architecture. Our group has been particularly interested in studying non-linear polymers, and developing tools to control the materials structure and properties through polymer architecture. The main thrust is centered around comb-like macromolecules called bottlebrush copolymers as building blocks for nanoscale assemblies and functional materials. We are inspired by the diverse functions of biological macromolecules brought about by their well-defined shapes (including the ones with the bottlebrush architecture) and motivated by the discovery of new phenomena in shape-persistent polymer self-assembly and polymer materials design for energy and health-realted applications. Current projects in the group focus both on creating new materials with desirable structures using bottlebrush building blocks and developing methods to break down commodity plastics to allevaiate the environmental concerns. Multidisciplinary nature of the program allows students to acquire diverse synthetic and analytical skills and develop broad scientific vision. The Rzayev group is committed to maintaining a working environment that encourages mutual respect, promotes civil and collaborative relationships among members, and is free from all forms of harassment and violence.
Materials with percolating network morphologies have valuable attributes for transport-based applications, such as membranes for water purification, batteries, etc. We are developing new methods for the preparation of polymeric materials with nanoscale network domains by asserting molecular control over domain dimensions and properties.
Widespread consumption of polymeric materials due to their excellent properties and low cost have resulted in an increased accumulation of plastics in waste streams, posing a major environmental and societal challenge. We are developing new chemical methods for polymer upcycling by creating value-added products from plastic waste.
Polymer self-assembly provides a reliable pathway to nanostructured materials. We are studying how molecular architecture can be used to control the assembly process in bulk, thin films, and solution. We are particularly focused on polymers with a densely grafted comb-like architecture, called bottlebrush copolymers, that offer many unique properties.
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