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Nano Hybrid Shish Kebab-Carbon Nanotube Induced Polymer Crystallization Christopher Li (Drexel University) DMR 0239415.
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Nano Hybrid Shish Kebab-Carbon Nanotube Induced Polymer CrystallizationChristopher Li (Drexel University)DMR 0239415 Soft materials, polymers in particular, have been used to modify carbon nanotube (CNT) surfaces. We recently showed that CNT-induced polymer crystallization offered a unique means to achieve periodically patterned CNTs. This unique structure, named as Nano Hybrid Shish Kebab (NHSK), provides a platform to realize numerous possible applications of CNTs, ranging from nanocomposites and sensors to catalyst supports. Figure a,b shows that the growth behavior of polyethylene (PE) obeys a “size-dependent soft epitaxy” mechanism. Figure c shows that 2 dimensional NHSK can be obtained by a PVD method. Figure d shows negative birefringent Nylon 6,6 spherulites using a NHSK network as the precursor. a b PE chains PE folded lamellae d c Carbon (nano)fiber CNT J. Am. Chem. Soc.2006,128, 1692. NanoLett. 2006,6, 1007. Polymer 2007,48, 3452.
Nano Hybrid Shish Kebab-Carbon Nanotube Induced Polymer CrystallizationChristopher Li (Drexel University)DMR 0239415 • Education • Under this grant, one Ph.D. student (Kishore Tenneti) graduated in 2007. One Ph.D. student is pursuing his Ph.D. degree. Two BS/MS students and two undergraduate students have also been supported. One Ph.D. student will join our lab in Fall, 2008. • Outreach • Coordinated the Drexel Summer Seed program for the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Drexel University. We hosted ~190 high school students from nearby schools. • Conducted demo experiments which have consistently been evaluated as the “best lab” in the entire COE. • Hosted one NSF REU student in the summer for 10 weeks to conduct polymer research. The above image shows high-school students enjoying making “slime and foams” in our lab.