Virginia Tech researchers explore surface solubility, polarity

(Blacksburg, Va., April 3, 2001) -- Virginia Tech researchers have demonstrated that a new type of polymer surface modifier will reverse the polarity of the molecules on a surface.

The polarity of molecules on a material's surface determines what will stick to that surface. "The aim is to be able to tune or control the solubility of a surface so it will interact with multiple molecules or a range of molecules," says chemistry professor Timothy Long.

Applications, such as biomedical devices or implants that would control protein adhesion or smart surfaces that would provide more universal adhesives, are still in the distant future, Long explains.

The research will be presented at the American Chemical Society's 221st national meeting in San Diego. The paper "Block copolymer phase behavior control on novel polymer brush modified surfaces (PMSE 180)," authored by graduate student, Jianli Wang, Long, and chemistry professor Tom Ward, will be presented at 11:20 a.m. Tuesday, April 3, at the San Diego Marriott Orlando/New York room. It will discuss the design and synthesis of the new polymer, the surface properties and nanostructures of the polymer brush system, and the influence of the new material on thin film phase behaviors.

Reach Dr. Long at 540-231-2480 or [email protected].
Reach Dr. Ward at [email protected] or 540-231-5867.

www.chemistry.vt.edu/chem-dept/NSF/STCweb1/LongWeb/index.html