Research

Preparation of novel functional polymeric materials on the basis of design and controlling of interface

Existence of the interface strongly affects in the various kinds of fields such as material synthesis and its functional properties. The aim of our research group is to understand relation between structure and physical properties in polymeric materials using a precise synthesis method and synchrotron radiation experiments.

1. Preparation of polymer brush with well-controlled stereoregularity

Polymer brush is functional material　that one of the polymer chain end is tethered to the substrate via covalent bond or ionic interaction. The conventional polymer brushes, however, cannot introduce functional molecules along the surface to solid interface. To overcome this problem, we designed and prepared novel polymer brush with well-controlled stereoregularity using living anionic polymerization. On the basis of synchrotron radiation measurements, we found that the polymer brush formed helical conformation and they encapsulated fullerene molecules, leading to a inclusion complex.

2. Investigation of novel living anionic polymerization method

It is widely accepted that living anionic polymerization enables to control molecular wight, molecular weight distribution, and stereoregularity. Living anionic polymerization, however, has a limitation in monomers. We demonstrated anionic polymerization for ionic monomers using ionic liquid as solvent and additive. We develop the class of monomers for anionic polymerization.

3. Development of novel functional materials using organic-inorganic hybrid polymers

Generally, thermal stability of inorganic polymer materials is higher than that of organic materials. We prepared stereoregular polymer with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane side chain. The polymer formed preferred-handed helical structure when they are mixed with chiral dopants. The preferred-handed helical structure is maintained during calcinating process, leading to a formation of silica with exclusive optical activity.

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