PIM-1 monomer structure.

1. MWN: THE SUBTLE BALANCE BETWEEN RIGIDITY AND SWELLING IN FUNCTIONAL NANOPOROUS POLYMERSCoray M. Colina, Pennsylvania State University University Park, DMR 0908781 The aim of this project is to develop experimental and computational procedures for understanding the structure of nanoporous polymers for use in applications that exploit their surface chemistry, that can range from catalysis, sensors and gas storage to separations. Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity (PIMs) are amorphous polymers that derive their porosity from rigid and contorted monomers which inhibit space efficient packing. Of prime importance in this work is the understanding of PIM-1, see figures, as the prototypical soluble PIM with high surface area. During this first year, PIM-1 has been extensively characterized by experimental and molecular simulations techniques. PIM-1 monomer structure. PIM-1 X-ray scattering data over a broad q range. Pore size distributions from simulations (blue), the Horvath-Kawazoe method (red) and Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (green). Simulated (blue) and experimental (red) adsorption isotherms for methane in PIM-1 at 20 C as a function of pressure.

2. MWN: THE SUBTLE BALANCE BETWEEN RIGIDITY AND SWELLING IN FUNCTIONAL NANOPOROUS POLYMERS Coray M. Colina, Pennsylvania State University University Park, DMR 0908781 One of the main outcomes of this Materials World Network activity is student development. Three students were presented during this first year with an invaluable opportunity to stay at the cutting edge of both polymer and energy research in the UK as well as to perform global interdisciplinary research. Additionally, we had our first annual workshop at Manchester University in July 2010, where each student participating in this MWN project presented an update of their research in an international environment. 1st MWN Annual meeting, Manchester, U.K., July 2010 http://www.clubs.psu.edu/up/gwis/