Swelling and association kinetics of polymers at the LCST phase transition (B09 [N01])

• Subject Area: Preparatory and Physical Chemistry of Polymers
• Term: from 2018 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 191948804

The aim of this project is the determination of the relaxation mechanisms and relaxation times of responsive microgels undergoing a volume phase transition. For a fundamental mechanistic understanding of the volume phase transition kinetics a wide range of length and time scales needs to be covered experimentally. In order to obtain this time-resolved light scattering, optical transmission, and fluorescence experiments, complemented by small-angle X-ray scattering, small-angle neutron scattering, and high-speed video microscopy will be performed. Volume phase transitions will be induced by temperature-, pH- and solvent composition jumps.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 985: Functional Microgels and Microgel Systems
• Applicant Institution: Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Stephan Förster