Bin Zhao
Associate Professor
Polymer Chemistry
Environmentally responsive polymers and polymer brushes; "living"/controlled polymerization; polymer surface chemistry
B.S., University of Science and Technology
of China (1992)
M.S., University of Science and Technology
of China (1995)
Ph.D., University of Akron (2000)
Research
Our research involves the synthesis and study of environmentally responsive polymers and polymer brushes that can undergo spontaneous changes in structures and properties upon application of external stimuli. Three classes of responsive polymeric systems, well-defined mixed homopolymer brushes, thermosensitive water-soluble polymers, and polymer brush-grafted particles (hairy particles), are being developed and investigated in our laboratory. In general, we use "living"/controlled polymerization techniques to synthesize polymers and polymer brushes with controlled molecular weights, narrow polydispersities, and defined architectures. These responsive materials have potential applications in controlled encapsulation and triggered release of substances, smart catalysis, etc.
Representative publications
Multiple micellization and dissociation transitions of thermo- and light-sensitive poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(ethoxytri(ethylene glycol) acrylate-co-o-nitrobenzyl acrylate) in water. Jiang, X. G.; Lavender, C. A.; Woodcock, J. W.; Zhao, B. Macromolecules 2008, 41, 2632-2643.
Hairy particle-supported 4-N,N-dialkylaminopyridine: an efficient and recyclable nucleophilic organocatalyst. Zhao, B.; Jiang, X. M.; Li, D. J.; Jiang, X. G.; O'Lenick, T.G.; Li, B.; Li, C. Y. J. Polym. Sci. Part A: Polym. Chem. 2008, 46, 3438-3446.
Thermosensitive water-dispersible hairy particle-supported Pd nanoparticles for catalysis of hydrogenation in an aqueous/organic biphasic system. Li, D. J.; Zhao, B. Langmuir 2008, 24, 5911-5918.
End group effect on the thermosensitive properties of well-defined water-soluble polystyrenics with short pendant oligo(ethylene glycol) groups synthesized by nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization. Jiang, X. G.; Zhao, B. J. Polym. Sci. Part A: Polym. Chem. 2007, 45, 3707-3721.
Temperature-induced transport of thermosensitive hairy hybrid nanoparticles between aqueous and organic phases. Li, D. J.; Zhao, B. Langmuir 2007, 23, 2208-2217.
Memory of surface patterns in mixed polymer brushes: simulation and experiment. Santer, S.; Kopyshev, A.; Donges, J.; Rühe, J.; Jiang, X. G.; Zhao, B.; Müller, M. Langmuir 2007, 23, 279-285.
Nanoscale phase separation of mixed poly(tert-butyl acrylate)/polystyrene brushes on silica nanoparticles under equilibrium melt conditions. Zhao, B.; Zhu. L. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 128, 4574-4575.
Thermosensitive hairy hybrid nanoparticles synthesized by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. Li, D. J.; Jones, G. J.; Dunlap, J. R.; Hua, F.; Zhao, B. Langmuir 2006, 22, 3344-3351.
Protein resistant polymer coatings on silicon oxide by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. Ma, H. W.; Li, D.; Sheng, X.; Zhao, B.; Chilkoti, A. Langmuir 2006, 22, 3751-3756.
Temperature-induced self-association of doubly thermosensitive diblock copolymers with pendant methoxytris(oxyethylene) groups in dilute aqueous solutions. Hua, F.; Jiang, X.; Zhao, B. Macromolecules 2006, 39, 3476-3479.
Well-defined thermosensitive, water-soluble polyacrylates and polystyrenics with short pendant oligo(ethylene glycol) groups synthesized by nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization. Hua, F.; Jiang, X.; Li, D.; Zhao, B. J. Polym. Sci. Part A: Polym. Chem. 2006, 44, 2454-2467.
Synthesis of thermosensitive water-soluble polystyrenics with pendant methoxyoligo(ethylene glycol) groups by nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization. Zhao, B.; Li, D.; Hua, F.; Green, D. R. Macromolecules 2005, 38, 9509-9517.
Environmentally responsive "hairy" nanoparticles: mixed homopolymer brushes on silica nanoparticles synthesized by living polymerization techniques. D.J. Li, X. Sheng, and B. Zhao,J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 127, 6248.
Biographical sketch
Dr. Zhao received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in polymer chemistry from the University of Science and Technology of China in 1992 and 1995, and his Ph.D. degree in polymer science from the University of Akron in 2000. After completing his postdoctoral research in Beckman Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Dr. Zhao joined the faculty of the University of Tennessee in 2002.
