Research in the area of Polymer Chemistry at UT comprises a broad spectrum of activities ranging from the synthesis of novel polymer structures to the study of their physics and properties. Specific areas of interest include anionic polymerization; thermodynamics and properties of polymer solutions, blends, and nanocomposites; synthesis of linear and branched polymers and copolymers of controlled structure; polymer brushes; modification of polymer interfaces; Monte Carlo simulations; and the solid state of linear macromolecules. Extensive use is made of the neutron scattering and other facilities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Faculty

  • Mark Dadmun, UT/ORNL Joint Faculty Professor – Thermodynamics and structure of polymer blends and nanocomposites; neutron scattering and reflectivity; polymeric materials for energy applications, including batteries and organic photovoltaics; modification and control of interfaces in soft materials
  • S. Michael Kilbey, UT/ORNL Joint Faculty Associate Professor – Self-assembly and structure-property relationships of ultrathin polymer films and of polymers in solution; neutron reflectivity measurements of nanoscale structure and surface forces measurements of interactions across interfaces; polymeric materials for energy conversion, sensing, and bio-inspired applications.
  • Jeffrey Kovac, Professor, Director, Science Olympiad, Governor’s School for Math and Sciences, & College Scholars, College of Arts & Sciences — Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics of polymers and liquids; computer simulation; non-equilibrium thermodynamics; history and philosophy of chemistry; chemical education
  • Brian Long, Assistant Professor – Macromolecular chemistry; organometallic catalyst design; conducting organic polymers; recyclable catalysis
  • Jimmy Mays, Professor & Distinguished Scientist – Synthesis of linear and branched polymers and copolymers of controlled structure, especially via anionic polymerization; polymer molecular characterization via dilute solution techniques; polymeric surfaces and interfaces; polymeric biomaterials; charged polymers; block copolymer morphology; polymer nanotechnology and nanocomposites
  • Alexei Sokolov, Governor’s Chair Professor – Soft matter; polymers; molecular biophysics; nano-composite and nano-structured materials; plasmonics and nano-photonics; light and neutron scattering spectroscopy; dielectric relaxation spectroscopy
  • Bin Zhao, Associate Professor – Stimuli-sensitive soft materials, including environmentally responsive polymer brushes and multi-responsive block copolymer micelles and gels; supported catalysts; nanoparticles; “living”/controlled polymerization; polymer surface chemistry

Contact

Dr. Charles Feigerle
Professor and Head
Department of Chemistry
College of Arts & Sciences
University of Tennessee
552 Buehler Hall
1420 Circle Dr.
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-1600

Phone: (865) 974-3141

Email: feigerle@ion.chem.utk.edu

Website: http://www.chem.utk.edu/research/polymer.html