LEAPS-MPS: Photodynamic Hybrid Polymer Network Sponges and their Structure-Property Relationships

LEAPS-MPS：光动力杂化聚合物网络海绵及其结构-性能关系

• 批准号: 2137672
• 负责人: Joseph Furgal
• 金额: $ 24.71万
• 依托单位: Bowling Green State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2021-09-01 至 2025-08-31
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2137672&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: LEAPS; MPS; Photodynamic; Hybrid; Polymer

This award is funded in whole or in part under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117-2).NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY:The goal of this research is to develop a fundamental understanding of a series of selective, light activated smart material sponges useful for environmental remediation of omnipresent toxic pollutants such as perfluoroalkyl (PFAS) “forever chemicals.” This project will also meld together a diverse team of researchers to carry out this work and to influence, train, and mentor a broad representation of middle, high school and undergraduate students to recruit and train them for future success in the U.S. science workforce.Specifically the PI's group will synthesize silicon-based light-responsive sponges that can capture specific substances and undergo unique reversible shrinking phenomena to then expel them on demand with certain light wavelengths and energies. This light-driven process is quite complex in solid materials such as silicon networks and this research will aid in gaining an understanding of how these responsive sponges behave when having different building blocks that either change shape or break apart using light. The investigation will also determine how the structures of the material influence their behavior and ability to selectively soak up and release explicit substances on demand. Lastly, their abilities and efficiencies in remediation of PFAS type compounds, which are difficult to selectively isolate from water sources, will be detailed. Racially and ethnically diverse high school and undergraduate students will have the opportunity to contribute to the development of this project and gain laboratory training with scientists at BGSU to aid in the diversification of the student body toward science-based careers. A series of workshops focused on smart light responsive materials, environmental remediation and health priorities as well as the opportunity to spend time shadowing student scientists in the laboratory will be conducted in local areas with high concentrations of under-represented minorities (Warren, MI / Toledo, OH). These opportunities will assist in both attracting and retaining an expansive array of scientists. TECHNICAL SUMMARY:The PI and his group will develop reusable and robust high porosity "smart" sponges that can experience large volume changes after light irradiation to ultimately be used for environmental remediation of persistent pollutants (e.g. PFAS). Gels and solids of Q-silsesquioxane networks will be cross-linked with designed photoswitchable and dynamic groups that feature allyl or vinyl functionalization. Structure-property relationships of these novel photoresponsive materials will be determined to improve photoresponsive behaviors, determine what makes a high-performance material and its substance uptake/release ability (i.e. petrochemicals). Silsesquioxanes’ use as dynamic materials remains less explored than traditional polymers due to the intricacies of functionalization and silsesquioxanes’ inherent rigidity, despite the prevalence of silicone materials in a variety of household and industrial products. These materials offer advantages over typical photodynamic sponges (i.e. hydrogels, organogels), by overcoming synthetic, structural, and actuation limitations. These include increased environmental stabilities and better mechanical properties due to siloxane cores, excellent control of tunability to work with many target substances, and facile structural assembly. This research will also expand the exploration of improved methods for the capture of cancer-causing persistent “forever chemicals” such as perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) for the improvement of human and environmental health. For educational initiatives, university students will participate in scientific endeavors with regional companies to build career development relationships and experience real-world scientific challenges as part of public impact outreach. Mentorship will be given to a diverse set of middle and high school students as they participate in polymer workshops and laboratory research experiences to provide insight on the importance of science and how the proposed research may impact society on an individual and broader scale. These initiatives aim to increase youth involvement in the STEM fields by hands-on interactions, connections, and working with a diverse group of scientists from various backgrounds..This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

该奖项的全部或部分资金根据《2021 年美国救援计划法案》（公法 117-2）提供。 非技术性摘要：本研究的目标是对一系列选择性光激活智能材料海绵可用于环境修复无所不在的有毒污染物，例如全氟烷基（PFAS）“永远的化学品”。该项目还将汇集不同的研究团队来开展这项工作，并影响、培训和指导广泛的初中生、高中生和本科生，招募和培训他们，以便他们在美国科学队伍中取得成功。具体来说，PI 的团队将合成硅基光响应海绵，可以捕获特定物质并经历独特的可逆收缩现象，然后根据需要以特定的光波长和能量将它们排出。这种光驱动的过程在硅网络等固体材料中相当复杂，这项研究将有助于了解这些响应性海绵的行为。研究还将确定材料的结构如何影响它们的行为以及根据需要选择性吸收和释放特定物质的能力。难以从水源中选择性分离的 PFAS 类型化合物将被详细介绍，不同种族和民族的高中生和本科生将有机会为该项目的开发做出贡献，并与 BGSU 的科学家一起接受实验室培训，以协助实现这一目标。多元化一系列以智能光响应材料、环境修复和健康优先事项为重点的研讨会，以及花时间在实验室跟随学生科学家的机会将在学生高度集中的地区举行。代表性不足的少数族裔（密歇根州沃伦/俄亥俄州托莱多）。 技术摘要：PI 和他的团队将开发可重复使用且坚固的高孔隙率。 “智能”海绵在光照射后会发生巨大的体积变化，最终用于持久性污染物（例如 PFAS）的环境修复。Q-倍半硅氧烷网络的凝胶和固体将与设计的具有烯丙基的光可切换和动态基团交联。或乙烯基官能化将确定这些新型光响应材料的结构-性能关系，以改善光响应行为，确定高性能材料的构成以及尽管有机硅材料在各种家用和工业产品中普遍存在，但由于功能化的复杂性和倍半硅氧烷固有的刚性，其物质吸收/释放能力（即石化产品）仍然​​不如已探索的传统聚合物。这些材料克服了合成、结构和驱动方面的限制，比典型的光动力海绵（即水凝胶、有机凝胶）具有优势，包括提高的环境稳定性。这项研究还将扩大对捕获致癌持久性“永久化学物质”（如全氟烷基）的改进方法的探索。在教育活动中，大学生将与地区公司一起参与科学活动，以建立职业发展关系并体验现实世界的科学挑战，作为公共影响力推广的一部分。向不同的中学生和高中生提供关于科学重要性的见解，以及拟议的研究如何在个人和更广泛的范围内影响社会。这些举措旨在增加青年的参与。通过实践互动、联系以及与来自不同背景的不同科学家群体合作，在 STEM 领域获得成功。该奖项反映了 NSF 的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

项目成果

Formation of nanostructured silicas through the fluoride catalysed self-polymerization of Q-type functional silica cages

通过氟化物催化 Q 型功能性二氧化硅笼自聚合形成纳米结构二氧化硅

• DOI: 10.1039/d2cc02672d
• 发表时间: 2022-08
• 期刊: Chemical Communications
• 影响因子: 4.9
• 作者: Hu, Nai;Sims, Cory B.;Schrand, Tyler V.;Haver, Kathryn M.;Armenta, Herenia Espitia;Furgal, Joseph C.
• 通讯作者: Furgal, Joseph C.