Dr. Sandra Greer is supported by a grant from the Theoretical and Computational Chemistry Program to continue her research involving structure, thermodynamics, kinetics and dynamics of organic molecules undergoing equilibrium polymerization. In equilibrium polymerization, the monomers begin to polymerize as the temperature is lowered through the polymerization temperature and then grow in length as the temperature is lowered further. If the temperature is raised, the polymers shorten and eventually revert to monomers on passing back through the polymerization temperature. Systems undergoing equilibrium polymerization are referred to as "living polymers". Microscopic studies will employ neutron scattering as well as light scattering to investigate the structure of solutions and the motion of polymer molecules in them. Macroscopic studies will include characterization of thermodynamic properties such as density, heat capacity, phase diagrams as well as transport properties such as viscosity and stress relaxation. %%% Equilibrium polymerization is a major avenue for the synthesis of novel polymers with unique material properties. These systems also provide a wonderful means for studying the microscopic structure of polymer solutions as a function of polymer molecular weight since the polymer size can be regulated by adjusting the temperature. Dr. Greer's research will provide significant insights into the molecular level explanation for the dynamics and thermodynamics of living polymer systems.
