IIN Frontiers in Nanotechnology Seminar Series – Krzysztof Matyjaszewski

Professor Krzysztof Matyjaszewski

J.C. Warner University Professor of Natural Sciences
Department of Chemistry
Carnegie Mellon University
Hosted by Chad Mirkin

Abstract

Many advanced nanostructured functional materials were recently designed and prepared by controlled/ living radical polymerization (CRP). More than 100 million tons of polymers are produced annually world-wide by conventional radical polymerization. However, macromolecular engineering is impossible in this process. Copper-based ATRP (atom transfer radical polymerization) catalytic systems with polydentate nitrogen ligands are among most efficient controlled/living radical polymerization systems. Recently, by applying new initiating/catalytic systems, Cu level in ATRP was reduced to a few ppm. ATRP of acrylates, methacrylates, styrenes, acrylamides, acrylonitrile and other vinyl monomers was employed for macromolecular engineering of polymers with precisely controlled molecular weights, low dispersities, designed shape, composition and functionality. Examples of block, graft, star, hyperbranched, gradient and periodic copolymers, molecular brushes and various hybrid materials and bioconjugates prepared with high precision will be presented. These polymers can be used as components of various advanced materials such as health and beauty products, biomedical and electronic materials, coatings, elastomers, adhesives, surfactants, dispersants, lubricants, additives, or sealants. Special emphasis will be on nanostructured multifunctional hybrid materials for application related to environment, energy and catalysis.

Biography

Kris Matyjaszewski is J.C. Warner University Professor of Natural Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University. He discovered Cu-mediated atom transfer radical polymerization, commercialized in 2004 in US, Japan and Europe. He has co-authored >900 publications (cited >80,000 times, h-index 139) and holds 54 US patents. He is the editor of Progress in Polymer Science. Matyjaszewski received 2015 Dreyfus Prize in Chemical Sciences, 2011 Wolf Prize in Chemistry, 2009 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award, and from ACS: 2015 Overberger Prize, 2013 AkzoNobel North America Science Award, 2011 Applied Polymer Science Award, 2002 Polymer Chemistry Award. He received 9 honorary degrees and is a member of National Academy of Engineering, National Academy of Inventors, Polish and Russian Academies of Sciences.