9528555 Belfiore The overall objective of this research investigation is to identify and characterize new combinations of polymeric ligands and transition-metal salts that exhibit attractive macroscopic physical properties based on molecular engineering design principles. Previous research has demonstrated that transition-metal salts produce dramatic changes in the thermal and mechanical properties of selected rubbery and glassy polymers. This technology represents the "next step" in the search for strongly interacting "blends" and complexes. Ultimately, one seeks to identify transition- metal compatibilizers for immiscible polymer-polymer blends in an effrort to produce materials with tailored properties. Miscibility occurs when the metal center coordinates to ligands in the two dissimilar polymers. %%% The methodology to transform immiscible polymer-polymer blends into compatible ternary mixtures via small amounts of a transition-metal salt is a very promising new research area for industrial applications where synergistic macroscopic physical properties are desired in the final product. ***
