L. Demirel; "Self-Organization of Polymers", March 5, 13:40, FENSG032

Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
FENS MAT 552 SEMINARS

Self-Organization of Polymers

A. Levent Demirel
Koç University, Chemistry Department

Abstract:
Polymeric molecules self-organize into various structures and morphologies mainly due to selective interactions. For two thermodynamically immiscible polymers A and B attached by a covalent bond, micro-phase separated ordered equilibrium morphologies depend on the length of the polymers and their interaction. By attaching side chains to one of the polymers (say A), it is possible to change the morphology from hexagonal arrangement of cylinders of one polymer (A) in the matrix of the other (B) to lamellar morphology (ABBA) and to inverted hexagonal morphology (cylinders of B in the matrix of A). In liquids, selective interactions of polymers with solvent molecules are critical. The self-organization of a water soluble polymer above its lower critical solution temperature into nanofibers by directional crystallization will be discussed in terms of hydrophobic interactions, dipolar interactions and backbone salvation.

Bio:
Assoc.Prof. Demirel took his Ph.D. degree in physics from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, USA, in 1996. After postdoctoral research at FOM-Atomic and Molecular Physics Institute in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, he joined Koç University, Chemistry Department in 1997. He has received TÜBİTAK (Turkish Scientific and Technical Research Council) Young Scientist Award in 1999, TÜBA (Turkish Academy of Sciences) Young Scientist Award in 2001 and Koç University Werner von Siemens Excellence Award in 2003. In 2006, he has been elected as associate member of Turkish Academy of Sciences. His research expertise is in the field of surface/interface physical chemistry of materials. He worked on semi-conducting thin films, molecularly thin liquid films, thin films of liquid crystalline & polymeric materials. His recent research interests include functional surfaces and self-organization of polymers & polypeptides.

March 5, 2008, 13:40, FENS G032