1. Genzer Research Group
How does substrate geometry affect the surface-initiated controlled polymerization?
Jan Genzer (Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering)
Objective: Investigate the effect of the substrate geometry and solution conditions on the “grafting from” polymerization from solid substrates
Methods: computer simulations
Fraction of Living polymers (FLP) Increases
High
Surface Density of Initiators (σ) Increases
Active Polymer
Findings:
1) Surface crowding leads to increased PDI even in the absence of termination
2) The combined effects of confinement, solvent quality and termination rate have dramatic effects on the molecular weight distribution
Medium
160x160x39
100x100x100
40x40x625
Low