(3i) Nanoscale Ionic Materials

Nanoscale ionic Materials (NIMs) are a new class of organic inorganic hybrid materials which are able to display fluid like behavior in absence of any solvent. Created by densely grafting polymer chains on the nanoparticle surface, these materials are termed as self suspended fluids where suspending medium and suspended phase are essentially the same. Originating from their hybrid chemical structure, NIMs provide a unique platform for studying colloids and polymers in confinement. Additional advantage comes from the fact these are bulk systems and their fluid like nature which can provide insight into their rheology. We have investigated the dynamics of colloidal glasses and polymers in confinement using NIMs as model systems. Moreover we have extended this material platform to create hybrid polymer networks displaying shape memory properties.