Research Highlights - GAP 1

Using tender-APXPS, we have directly measured the Donnan potential at the membrane/solution interface for CR-61 membranes equilibrated with NaCl and MgCl2 solutions.

In situ ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS) reveals that polypeptoid-modifications can alter polymer interactions with water and instigate surface restructuring.

Demonstrated that changes in both the number and placement of nonpolar monomers in the polypeptoid sequence affects both local water structure and dynamics and that such effects are correlated.

Proposed and cross-validated experimental and computational workflows to analyze structural populations of disordered polypeptoids.

Near Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy reveals molecular orientation varies with film thickness in layer-by-layer grown model RO membranes.

Phase-field simulations demonstrate that mass-transfer-driven spinodal decomposition, thermal fluctuations, and structural arrest are essential to the formation of asymmetric polymer membranes in the Nonsolvent-Induced Phase Separation process.

Proposed and cross-validated experimental and computational workflows to analyze structural populations of disordered polypeptoids.

Fully resolved end-to-end distance probability distribution measurements and simulations for aqueous polyethylene oxide (PEO) establish semi-flexible, excluded volume polymer.

Tender APXPS results provide direct quantification of hydration on polymers in situ at the molecular level.