Research Highlight

Learning the "Design Rules" for Biomimetic Polymer Membrane Assembly

Vibrational sum frequency generation spectra and schematic of surface ordering and packing of ODMS-MIM(+) headgroups and tails at the organic/aqueous interface as function of increasing ionic strength (NaCl concentration). Tunability over the interface was demonstrated by manipulating H-bonding networks and charge screening through variation of the anions in the aqueous phase.

Scientific Achievement

Hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions in the aqueous phase control the resulting conformations of the polymers in the organic phase.

Significance and Impact

Learning the design rules for assembly of bio-inspired polymeric membranes will enable new classes of functional interfaces.

Research Details

– Self-assembly of an ionic amphiphilic polymer monolayer at a liquid/liquid interface was monitored using vibrational sum frequency generation spectroscopy.
– Over time, polymers already adsorbed at the interface changed conformation in the organic phase to allow more room for additional molecules to adsorb there.
 
A. U. Chowdhury, G .J. Taylor, V. Bocharova, R. L. Sacci, Y. Luo, W. T. McClintic, Y.-Z. Ma, S. A. Sarles, K. Hong, C. P. Collier, and B. Doughty, "Insight into the Mechanisms Driving the Self-Assembly of Functional Interfaces: Moving from Lipids to Charged Amphiphilic Oligomers," J. Am Chem. Soc., 142, 290 (2020). DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b10536 

Researchers

Related Organizations

User Facilities
Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences
Macromolecular Nanomaterials
Nanofabrication Research Laboratory