Research
What is Polymer physics?
Polymers or chain molecules are very versatile materials. Their special mechanical, optical or electrical properties are at the basis of many different applications in which we encounter polymers in daily life. Also biological matter consists to a large part of polymers. Due to their macromolecular character polymers display a number of typical and special properties like e.g. viscoelasticity, rubber elasticity, semicrystallinity. Also self assembly is a common feature.
On which research topics do we work?
Corresponding to their typical size of about 10 nanometres polymer often develop structures on the nanoscale. We investigate the mechanisms of self organisation (e.g. microphase separation or crystallization) which are responsible for these phenomena and develop methods to produce well defined, nanostructured materials. One focus or our research is the crystallization of polymers and the accompanying process of structure formation. Polymers generally crystallize incompletely and form semicrystalline materials. Our aim is to understand and give a quantitative description of the underlying molecular mechanisms. This is e.g. of high importance for electrically conducting polymers, in which the semicrystalline morphology is essential for the electronic properties. In this area we are especially interested in polymers for organic photovoltaics. Another research topic in the group is electric transport in homogeneous and nanostructures polymer electrolytes. Such polymeric ion conductors are of high interest in battery and fuel cell technology. Furthermore we investigate the relation between structure and dynamics resp. viscoelasticity in filled polymer systems.