The Polymer Core Facility, located in 443 Louderman within the Chemistry Department, offers a range of services for polymer research. These services include custom polymer synthesis and polymer characterization. The capabilities of custom synthesis include polymers having different architectures, micro-/nanoparticles (polymer, SiO2, etc.), hydrogels, and small molecules (ligands, dyes, etc.). Polymer characterization service includes molecular weight and molecular weight distribution (GPC, MALDI-TOF MS, etc.) and rheological properties. Additionally, the facility has several advanced 3D printers for additive manufacturing services.

Core Description

The Synthesis Capabilities of the Facility Include:

  • Polymer Synthesis
    New monomer design and synthesis
    Free-radical polymerization
    Controlled radical polymerization (ATRP, RAFT, and NMP) to produce various architectures, including homopolymers, block copolymers, hyperbranched polymers, star polymers, and bottlebrush polymers.
    Condensation polymerization
    Other specialized polymers, like dendrimers and oligomers.
  • Particles and Hydrogels
    Micro- and nanoparticles (e.g., polymer, SiO2) synthesis
    surface modification of particles
    Hydrogels
  • Small molecules
    Ligands, dyes, etc.

Access

Service available to All entities, including for-profit organizations.

Priority service for All entities, including for-profit organizations.

Services

  • Polymer molecular weight and polydispersity characterization
  • Rheological properties of polymers and gels
  • Materials chemical structure characterization
  • Freeze-drying chemicals, proteins etc.
  • 3D printing
  • Customized synthesis of polymers, hydrogels, particles, and small molecules

Equipment

  • Waters Alliance GPC system
  • TA Instruments Discovery Hybrid Rheometer-2
  • Rigaku Oxford XtaLAB mini II (XRD)
  • Labconco FreeZone 4.5 Liter Cascade Lyophilizer
  • Nicolet™ Summit™ X FTIR Spectrometer
  • Bambu Lab A1 3D Printer
  • Cell Link 3D Printer
  • nScrypt Tabletop 3D Printer

Pricing

Pricing is subject to core verification

https://chemistry.washu.edu/polymer-core-facility