Polymeric Materials:

Tailored Structure, Properties, and Function

The objective of our research group is to develop polymeric materials with enhanced physical properties and function. We specialize in polymer synthetic techniques, structural characterization (small-angle neutron, x-ray and light scattering), thermodynamics and self-assembly, and development of structure-property relationships. 

Research projects are focused on the following areas:

Sustainable and biodegradable polymers derived from renewable resources

Advanced materials for wind energy

Structure and dynamics of block copolymer micelles

pH-responsive, antifouling polymer brushes

Multicomponent and multiphase polymer blends

Recent Publications

"Hands-on Activity Illustrating the Sorting Process of Recycled Waste and Its Role in Promoting Sustainable Solutions." Herrera Monegro, R.; Graham, S.; Steele, J.; Robertson, M. L.; Henderson, J.*; Journal of Chemical Education 2024. Acccepted for publication  

"Fractionating Chitin-Glucan Complex and Coproducts from Pleurotus Ostreatus Mushrooms." Ayser, M.; Tonny, W.; Sanchez Hernandez, I.; Kuriakose, R.; Smith, J. D.; Wallaert, S. J.; Karim, A.; Robertson, M. L.; Balan, V.*  Waste and Biomass Valorization 2023  

"Thermodynamic Interactions in Polydiene/Polyolefin Blends Containing Diverse Polydiene and Polyolefin Units." Qiu, J.; Chen, X.; Le, A.; López-Barrón, C. R.; Rohde, B. J.; White, R. P.; Lipson, J. E. G.; Krishnamoorti, R.; Robertson, M. L.; Macromolecules 2023, 56, 2286-2297.  

"Shaping the Structure and Response of Surface-Grafted Polymer Brushes via the Molecular Weight Distribution." Conrad, J. C.; Robertson, M. L.  Macromolecules 2023, 3, 333–343.  

"Fouling Resistance and Release Properties of Poly(sulfobetaine) Brushes with Varying Alkyl Chain Spacer Lengths and Molecular Weights." Khakzad, F.; Dewangan, N. K.; Li, T. H.; Samghabadi, F. S.; Herrera Monegro, R.; Robertson, M. L.; Conrad, J. C. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2023, 15, 1, 2009-2019 

"Shear Alignment Mechanisms of Close-Packed Spheres in a Bulk ABA Triblock Copolymer." Ding, W.; Hanson, J.; Burghardt, W. R.; López-Barrón, C. R.; Robertson, M. L. Macromolecules & Engineering 2022, 55, 9465-9477.  

Click here for a full publication list.

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