Polymer Nanoconfinement
Nanoconfinement alters many aspects of polymer structure and dynamics, impacting the properties of nanocomposites (including surface attached polymers), microphase separated polymers, and ultrathin films. Alterations include large changes in glass transition temperatures, crystallization behavior, and rheological response, among other properties. A wide range of relevant length scales (local relaxation processes up to entire chain motion) makes this a multifaceted and rich arena. Experiment, simulation, and theory papers on the chemical physics of polymer nanoconfinement are welcome.
Topics covered include, but are not limited to:
- confinement in thin films, pores, channels, and within/by polymer networks
- influence of nearby interfaces, including the role of interface curvature
- influence of surface bound chains, including grafted and adsorbed chains
- changes in dynamics and other material properties upon confinement
- polymers in nanocomposites
- confined polymer glasses and organic semiconductors
- confinement effects and rigid amorphous fractions in semicrystalline polymers
- use of confinement effects to probe polymer physics (e.g. glass transition).
- confined polymer reactions
- influence of catalysts/solvents/small molecules on nanoconfinement
- transport properties in nanostructures, including polymer translocation, and ion transport polymers and separation membranes
- phase separation under confinement
- polymers at fluid interfaces under 2D confinement
- biopolymer confinement
Guest Editors
Michael Hore, Case Western Reserve University
Daeyeon Lee, University of Pennsylvania
Connie Roth, Emory University
David Simmons, University of South Florida
JCP Editors
Mark Ediger, University of Wisonsin-Madison
More information:
Please note that papers will be published as normal when they are ready in a regular issue of the journal and will populate on a virtual collection page within a few days of publication. Inclusion in the collection will not cause delay in publication.
How to Submit:
- Please submit through the online submission system.
- Under manuscript type → select Article or Communication, as appropriate
- Under manuscript information → Manuscript classification → select Special Topic: “Polymer Nanoconfinement”