We are interested in the static, thermodynamic, mechanical and dynamic properties of nanostructured polymer materials. Important examples of nanostructured polymers are ionomers, where the aggregation of polar groups leads to the formation of complex nanoscale morphologies, and nanocomposite materials, where polymers serve as a matrix materials than incorporate nanoscale particles.
Nanostructured materials are unique in the dominant role played by interfacial interactions.
If the role of interfacial interactions on morphology and dynamics can be understood in these materials, as well as relationship between nanoscale morphology and macroscopic properties, it will be possible to design novel nanostructured materials for a wide array of mechanical, electrical, optical, chemical and biological applications. Our projects involve using idealized and atomistically detailed models to examine interfacial properties, morphology, dynamics and macroscopic properties in ionomers, polymer electrolytes, and polymer nanocomposites.