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Supramolecular polymers represent a family of polymeric materials that are held together with dynamic, noncovalent interactions. In contrast to conventional functional polymers that usually have high melt-viscosity due to their covalent nature and chain entanglement, supramolecular polymers combine excellent physical properties with low melt-viscosity, allowing for less energy-intensive processability and recyclability. Dynamic bonding with multiple binding sites, such as multiple hydrogen bonding or multiple ionic bonding, exhibits much stronger binding strength compared to the counterparts containing only a single binding site, thereby allowing for enhanced mechanical integrity to the polymers and facilitate self-assembly. This dissertation focuses on the design of novel supramolecular polymers building from the doubly-charged or quadruple hydrogen bonding (QHB) scaffolds utilizing chain-growth polymerization or step-growth polymerization, as well as elucidate the structure-property-morphology relationships of the polymers. A 2-step nucleophilic substitution reaction afforded a series of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO)-based styrenic monomers with two pairs of charged groups. An optimized 2-step reversible-addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization synthesized ABA triblock thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) with a low Tg poly (n-butyl acrylate) central block and a high Tg external charged blocks. Strong ionic interactions between doubly-charged units drove molecular self-assembly to form densely packed, hierarchical microstructures, which contributed to a robust, crosslinked physical network that allows the polymer to retain thermomechanical integrity until degradation. High-resolution single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) coupled with powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) further disclosed a detailed 3-D structural information of molecular arrangement and ion distribution within the charged phase through comparing DABCO-salt monomer single-crystal structure and the corresponding homopolymer XRD pattern. It was found that the physical properties of the DABCO-salt copolymers not only relied on their charge content and architectures but also dependent on their electrostatically-bonded counterions. The size and structure of the counterion determined the strength of dipole-dipole interaction, which significantly impact on thermal property, (thermo)mechanical performance, water affinity, and microstructure. A cytosine-functionalized monomer, cytosine acrylate (CyA), allowed the synthesis of acrylic ABA triblock TPEs with pendant nucleobase moieties in the external blocks and a low Tg central polymer matrix through RAFT polymerization. Post-functionalization of cytosine (Cyt) bidentate hydrogen bonding sites with alkyl isocyanate, allowed the formation of ureido-cytosine (UCyt) groups in the external block that were readily dimerized through QHB interactions. The UCyt units in the external block enhanced mechanical strength and induced stronger phase-separation of the block copolymers compared to the corresponding Cyt-containing TPE analogs. Facile conventional free-radical polymerization using CyA and subsequent post-functionalization enabled accessibility to random copolymers containing pendant UCyt QHB moieties in the soft polymer matrix. The synergy of the flexible polymer matrix and the dynamic character of QHB groups contributed to the ultra-high elasticity of the polymer and rapid self-healing properties. QHB interactions enabled efficient mechanical recovery upon deformation by facilitating elastic chain retraction to regenerate the original physical network. Finally, one-pot step-growth polymerization through chain extending a novel bis-Cyt monomer and a commercially available polyether diamine using a di-isocyanate extender afforded segmented polyurea series for extrusion additive manufacturing. The molecular design of the polyureas featured soft segments containing flexible polyether chain and a relatively weak urea hydrogen bonding sites in the soft segment and rigid UCyt hydrogen bonding groups in the hard segment. The reversible characteristics of QHB enabled low viscosity at the processing temperature while providing mechanical integrity after processing and reinforced bonding between the interlayers, which contributed to the remarkable strength, elasticity, toughness, and interlayer adhesion of the printed parts. / Doctor of Philosophy / This dissertation focuses on designing supramolecular thermoplastic elastomers containing strong noncovalent interactions, i.e., quadruple hydrogen bonds or double ionic bonds. Inspired from noncovalent interactions in our mother nature, a series of bio-inspired monomers functionalized with nucleobase or ionic units were synthesized through scalable reactions with minimal purification steps. Polymerization of the functional monomers through step-growth or chain-growth polymerization techniques affords a variety of supramolecular thermoplastic elastomers with well-defined structures and architectures. These thermoplastic elastomers comprise soft and hard constituents; the former contains low glass transition polymer chains that provide elasticity while the latter contains strong noncovalent units to impart mechanical strength. Varying the soft/hard component ratios enables polymers with tunable physical properties to address different needs. Systematic characterizations of these supramolecular polymers revealed their distinct properties from the polymers containing the covalent or weak noncovalent interactions and facilitate molecular-level understanding of the polymers. Generally, incorporating strong noncovalent interactions increases the temperature for polymer segmental motion and extends thermomechanical plateau windows. Additionally, the strong association strength of those non-covalent interactions promotes microphase separation and self-assembly, contributing to a high degree of structural ordering of the polymers. Moreover, the dynamic characteristics of the noncovalent interactions offer the polymers with reversible properties, which not only enables melt-processability and recyclability of the polymer but also contributes to a series of smart properties, including self-healing, shape-memory, and recoverability. Thus, the molecular design using supramolecular chemistry provides promising avenues to developing functional materials with enhanced mechanical properties, processability, and stimuli-responsiveness for emerging applications.

<p dir="ltr">Nanocrystalline materials have unique properties such as high ultimate strength and superior hardness. However, they also exhibit some disadvantages, such as low thermal stability. An effective strategy to address this issue is alloying with other materials. Grain boundaries play a pivotal role in property prediction due to their orientation between grains and the complexity of their structure. The prediction of structure-property relationships for GBs with microstructural complexity represents a difficult challenge.</p><p dir="ltr">To understand the effects of dopants on the material properties of grain boundaries, we constructed some bicrystal models for Al and Mg-doped Al (Al-Mg) alloys. Findings from shearing simulations of these GBs indicate that the GB structure and dopant distribution can influence GB migration. Dopants inhibit GB migration at certain GBs, effectively reinforcing these GBs. Shear-coupled GB migration in pure Al, as well as dopant inhibition of GB Al-Mg alloys, both contribute to the mechanisms of GB migration.</p>

The synthesis and characterization of an isomorphous series of copper-containing microporous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) based on triazolyl isophthalate linkers with the general formula 3 ¥[Cu4(m3-OH)2(R1-R2-trz-ia)3(H2O)x] are presented. Through size adjustment of the alkyl substituents R1 and/or R2 at the linker, the impact of linker functionalization on structure-property relationships was studied. Due to the arrangement of the substituents towards the cavities, the porosity (pore fraction 28%–39%), as well as the pore size can be adjusted by the size of the substituents of the triazole ring. Thermal analysis and temperature-dependent PXRD studies reveal a thermal stability of the MOFs up to 230 C due to increasing framework stability through fine-tuning of the linker substitution pattern. Adsorption of CO2 (298 K) shows a decreasing maximum loading with increasing steric demand of the substituents of the triazole ring. Furthermore, the selective oxidation of cyclohexene with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) is studied over the MOFs at 323 K in liquid chloroform. The catalytic activity increases with the steric demand of the substituents. Additionally, these isomorphous MOFs exhibit considerable robustness under oxidizing conditions confirmed by CO2 adsorption studies, as well as by the catalytic selective oxidation experiments.

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Diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP)-based polymers currently rank among the best performing organic materials for high charge carrier mobility applications due to their high structural planarity and the simple synthetic access. Through chemical modifications on DPP-based polymers, the type of charge carrier transport (p-type, n-type or ambipolar) and the charge carrier mobility can be both modulated. In this thesis, the synthesis of a new n-type dithiazolyldiketopyrrolopyrrole (TzDPPTz)-based copolymer PTzDPPTzF4 with tetrafluorobenzene (F4) as comonomer is reported. PTzDPPTzF4 has a deeper lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy level compared to the existing dithienyldiketopyrrolopyrrole (ThDPPTh)-based copolymer PThDPPThF4 due to the electron-deficient thiazole flanking units on the bicyclic DPP core. Moreover, the influence of homocoupling (hc) defects and backbone conformation on the properties of PTzDPPTzF4 is systematically investigated. Lastly, in order to further modulate the structural and electrical properties of DPP-based copolymers, polar side chains and comonomers with a different electron-withdrawing ability are introduced to the polymer backbone. In detail, a series of PTzDPPTzF4 polymers with similar molecular weight but varying TzDPPTz hc content from 0.6 – 12.4% is prepared via direct arylation polymerization (DAP) for the investigation of the hc-property relationship. Hc defects are found to red-shift the absorption, decrease the photoluminescence, and lower the LUMO energy level. In contrast, an influence on the film morphology or electron mobility is not observed. In order to study the conformation-property relationship, a structural variation in the DPP monomer is explored, i.e. the replacement of Tz by Th. To this end, a detailed comparative study of the properties between PTzDPPTzF4 and PThDPPThF4, which are prepared via DAP and have both comparable molecular weight and hc content, is presented. It is found that the replacement of Tz flanking units by Th flanking units on the DPP core has significant impact on the backbone conformation due to the occurrence of intramolecular hydrogen bonds, and thus strongly influences the opto-electronic and structural properties of the two polymers. PThDPPThF4 exhibits a stronger aggregation ability, a higher degree of crystallinity, a lower degree of paracrystallinity and an increased long-range order, which finally translates into a 20 times higher field-effect electron mobility. Finally, comonomer and side chain variations of DPP-based polymers are carried out for their potential use in thermoelectric investigations. Through the optimization of the polymerization conditions, a number-average molecular weight of 19.1 kg/mol is achieved for ThDPPTh-based polymers with single-oxygen side chains and F4 as comonomer. In addition, two ThDPPTh-based copolymers with biEDOT as comonomer are synthesized, which contain polar triethylene glycol (TEG) side chains as well as branched aliphatic side chains in different ratios. In summary, the economically efficient and ecologically green DAP method is demonstrated to be an efficient and versatile synthetic tool for copolymerizing TzDPPTz or ThDPPTh monomers bearing either aliphatic or polar side chains with either electron-rich or electron-deficient comonomers.

Over the past three decades, the steady decrease in fossil energy resources, combined with a sustained increase in the demand for clean energy, has led the scientific community to develop new ways to produce energy. As is well known, one of the main challenges to overcome with fossil fuel-based energy sources is the reduction or even elimination of pollutant gases in the atmosphere. Although some advances have helped to slow the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere (e.g., electric cars and more fuel-efficient gas-burning automobiles), most experts agree that it is not enough. Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells have been widely recognized as a potentially viable alternative for portable and stationary power generation, as well as for transportation. However, the widespread commercialization Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) involves a thorough understanding of complex scientific and technological issues. This study investigated the various structure-property relationships and materials durability parameters associated with PEMFC development. First, the correlation between perfluorinated ionomer membranes and processing/performance issues in fuel cell systems was investigated. As confirmed by small-angle X-ray scattering data, impedance analysis, and dynamic mechanical analysis, solution processing with mixed organic-inorganic counterions was found to be effective in producing highly arranged perfluorinated sulfonic acid ionomer (PFSI) membranes with more favorable organization of the ionic domain. Moreover, thermal annealing was shown to enhance the proton mobility, thereby facilitating reorganization of the polymer backbone and the hydrophilic region for improved crystallinity and proton transport properties. This research also confirmed an increase in water uptake in the solution-processed membranes under investigation, which correlated to an increase in proton conductivity. Thus, annealing and solution-processing techniques were shown to be viable ways for controlling morphology and modulating the properties/performance of PFSI membranes. Second, this study investigated the role of the morphology on water and proton transport in perfluorinated ionomers. When annealed at high temperatures, a significant decrease in water uptake and an increase in crystallinity were observed, both of which are detrimental to fuel cell performance. Additionally, controlling the drying process was found to be crucial for optimizing the properties and performance of these membranes, since drying at temperatures close or above the α-relaxation temperature causes a major reorganization within the ionic domains. Third, although many investigations have looked at key PEMFC components, (e.g., the membrane, the catalyst, and the bipolar plates), there have been few studies of more "minor" components—namely, the performance and durability of seals, sealants, and adhesives, which are also exposed to harsh environmental conditions. When seals degrade or fail, reactant gases leak or are mixed, it can degrade the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), leading to a performance decrease in fuel cell stack performance. This portion of the research used degradation studies of certain proprietary elastomeric materials used as seals to investigate their overall stability and performance in fuel cell environments with applied mechanical stresses. Additionally, characterization of the mechanical and viscoelastic properties of these materials was conducted in order to predict the durability based on accelerated aging simulations as well. Continuous stress relaxation (CSR) characterization was performed on molded seals over a wide range of aging conditions using a customized CSR fixture. The effects of temperature, stress, and environmental conditions are reported in terms of changes in momentary and stress relaxations, chain scission and secondary crosslink formation. Aging studies provided insights on how anti-degradants or additives affect the performance and properties of sealing materials, as well as how a variety of environmental considerations might be improved to extend the lifetime of these elastomers. / Ph. D.

The convergence of supramolecular and polymer sciences has led to the construction of analogs of traditional covalently-constructed polymeric structures and architectures by supramolecular methods. Host-guest complexations of polymers are also possible through well-defined synthesis of polymeric building blocks, for novel supramolecular polymers. Monotopic polymeric building blocks were synthesized by controlled radical polymerizations with a crown or paraquat initiator. The combinations of terminal and central functionalities of host and guest polymeric building blocks provided chain-extended and tri-armed homopolymers, and diblock and tri-armed copolymers. A supramolecular graft copolymer was formed from a main-chain poly(ester crown ether) and a paraquat terminated polystyrene. This comb-like copolymer was characterized by a large viscosity increase. A four-armed polystyrene-b-poly(n-butyl methacrylate) was synthesized from a pseudorotaxane macroinitiator derived from a complex of a crown-centered polystyrene and a dufunctional paraquat compound. A single peak with higher molecular weight from size exclusion chromatography proved the copolymer formation. Supramolecular interactions enhance the ionic conductivity of semi-crystalline ionic polymers; the ionic conductivity of a C₆-polyviologen and dibenzo-30-crown-10 mixture was 100 times higher than the polyviologen itself. However, ionic conductivities of amorphous polyviologens with polyethers were influenced only by glass transition temperature changes. New imidazolium ionic liquid monomers and imidazolium based polymers were synthesized for potential applications in electroactive devices, such as actuators. Structure-property relationships for pendant imidazolium polyacrylates and main-chain imidazolium polyesters were investigated. Terminal ethyleneoxy moeties enhanced ionic conduction 2~3 times; however, the alkyl chain length effect was negligible. For the imidazoium polyesters, higher ion conductivities result from 1) mono-imidazolium over bis-imidazolium, and 2) bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide polymers over hexafluorophosphate analogs. A semi-crystalline hexafluorophosphate polyester with C₁₀-sebacate-C₁₀, displayed 400-fold higher ionic conductivity than the amorphous C₆-sebacate-C₆ analogue, suggesting the formation of a biphasic morphology in the former polyester. New dicationic imidazolium salts have interesting features. 1,2-Bis[N-(N'-alkylimidazoilum)]ethane salts stack well in the solid state and possess multiple solid-solid phase transitions. They complex with dibenzo-24-crown-8 and a dibenzo-24-crown-8 based pyridyl cryptand with <i>K_a</i> = ~30 and 360 M¹, respectively. Some of these dicationic imidazolium salts have low entropies of fusion, typical of plastic crystals. These newly discovered imidazolium homopolymers have ionic conductivities up to 10⁴ (S cm⁻¹); however, better properties are still required. Well-designed block copolymers should provide both good electrical and mechanical properties from bicontinuous morphologies, such ion channels. / Ph. D.

One of the major challenges faced by the pharmaceutical industry is to accelerate the product innovation process and reduce the time-to-market for new drug developments. This involves billions of dollars of investment due to the large amount of experimentation and validation processes involved. A computational modeling approach, which could explore the design space rapidly, reduce uncertainty and make better, faster and safer decisions, fits into the overall goal and complements the product development process. Our research focuses on the early preclinical stage of the drug development process involving lead selection, optimization and candidate identification steps. Our work helps in screening the most favorable candidates based on the biopharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic properties. This helps in precipitating early development failures in the early drug discovery and candidate selection processes and reduces the rate of late-stage failures, which is more expensive. In our research, we successfully integrated two well-known models, namely the drug release model (dissolution model) with a drug transport model (compartmental absorption and transit (CAT) model) to predict the release, distribution, absorption and elimination of an oral drug through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of the human body. In the CAT model, the GI tract is envisioned as a series of compartments, where each compartment is assumed to be a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR). We coupled the drug release model in the form of partial differential equations (PDE's) with the CAT model in the form of ordinary differential equations (ODE's). The developed model can also be used to design the drug tablet for target pharmacokinetic characteristics. The advantage of the suggested approach is that it includes the mechanism of drug release and also the properties of the polymer carrier into the model. The model is flexible and can be adapted based on the requirements of the clients. Through this model, we were also able to avoid depending on commercially available software which are very expensive. In the drug discovery and development process, the tablet formulation (oral drug delivery) is an important step. The tablet consists of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), excipients and polymer. A controlled release of drug from this tablet usually involves swelling of the polymer, forming a gel layer and diffusion of drug through the gel layer into the body. The polymer is mainly responsible for controlling the release rate (of the drug from the tablet), which would lead to a desired therapeutic effect on the body. In our research, we also developed a molecular design strategy for generating molecular structures of polymer candidates with desired properties. Structure-property relationships and group contributions are used to estimate the polymer properties based on the polymer molecular structure, along with a computer aided technique to generate molecular structures of polymers having desired properties. In greater detail, we utilized group contribution models to estimate several desired polymer properties such as grass transition temperature (Tg), density (ρ) and linear expansion coefficient (α). We subsequently solved an optimization model, which generated molecular structures of polymers with desired property values. Some examples of new polymer repeat units are - [CONHCH₂ - CH₂NHCO]n -, - [CHOH - COO]n -. These repeat-units could potentially lead to novel polymers with interesting characteristics; a polymer chemist could further investigate these. We recognize the need to develop group contribution models for other polymer properties such as porosity of the polymer and diffusion coefficients of water and drug in the polymer, which are not currently available in literature. The geometric characteristics and the make-up of the drug tablet have a large impact on the drug release profile in the GI tract. We are exploring the concept of tablet customization, namely designing the dosage form of the tablet based on a desired release profile. We proposed tablet configurations which could lead to desired release profiles such as constant or zero-order release, Gaussian release and pulsatile release. We expect our work to aid in the product innovation process. / Ph. D.