Please note that this page is not kept up to date.

See: Full Publication List

oops, old picture.  Actually, younger picture. 

Our group's research is broad in the area of materials chemistry. I have summarized some of this work and given literature references where you can get further information. A complete list of my publications is available.

Specific pages on the following topics are available:

Special thanks is given to the National Science Foundation, Office of Naval Research, Petroleum Research Foundation, Research Corp., duPont, Cardolite Corp., IBM, Exxon, Alcoa, and Dow for their financial support of our research over the years. Disclaimer

Research Reviews/Overviews

Rick Laine and I edited a book on Organic/Inorganic Hybrids
166. F. D. Blum and R. Laine, editors, Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Materials, eMedix, Hattiesburg, MS, v + 399 pp, 2003. in book and CD form.

NMR Diffusion Measurements
27. F.D. Blum, Pulsed-Gradient Spin-Echo NMR Spectroscopy, Spectroscopy, 1(5), 32-38 (1986)

Silane Coupling Agents
167. F. D. Blum, Silane Coupling Agents, Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology, John Wiley & Sons, New York, DOI: 10.1002/0471440264.pst481, 2003.

Dynamics of Adsorbed Interfacial Materials
158. F. D. Blum, W.-Y. Lin, C. E. Porter, Dynamics of Adsorbed Poly(methyl acrylate) and Poly(methyl methacrylate) on Silica, Colloid Polym Sci., 281, 197-202 (2003).
133. F. D. Blum, NMR of Surface Polymers, in Colloid - Polymer Interactions: From Fundamentals to Practice, R. S. Farinato and P. Dubin, eds, John Wiley and Sons, New York, NY, 1999, p207-223.
100. F.D. Blum, Dynamics of the Interface in a Model Composite System, Macromol. Symp., 86161-169 (1994).
98. F.D. Blum, NMR Studies of Isotope-Enriched Species at Interfaces, Characterization of Composite Materials, H. Ishida, ed., Manning Publications, Greenwich, CT, 1994, p64-79.
92. F.D. Blum, NMR Studies of Organic Thin Films, Annual Reports of NMR Spectroscopy, I. Ando and G.A. Webb, eds., 28, 277-321 (1994). An invited review.
57. F.D. Blum, Magnetic Resonance of Polymers at Surfaces, Colloids and Surfaces, 45, 361-376 (1990).

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Polymer Dynamics

The goals of this research are to understand the dynamics (molecular motion) in polymeric systems and to relate this understanding to the physical and chemical properties of the systems. The study of dynamics is important because the microstructure and dynamics of the polymeric system ultimately determine the macroscopic properties of the material. In our group, we use solid and liquid nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC), FTIR, and mechanical properties as the primary probes. The majority of these studies have been focused on the properties of polymers in solution, bulk and at solid interfaces:

Many of the studies done in our group use specific isotope labelling and deuterium NMR which has several advantages including that: i) the dynamics are easily inferred from deuterium NMR spectra because the NMR relaxation times and line shapes are dominated by electric quadrupole effects. ii) specific enrichment with deuterium greatly increases in sensitivity and removes most problems associated overlapping resonances. The deuterium NMR technique is an effective nonperturbing method of probing dynamics.

Polymer solids show some direct relationships between polymer motion and physical properties. However, detailed knowledge of polymer motion in the solid state is lacking. We have focused our efforts on determining polymer motion from deuterium NMR lineshapes, both 1- and 2-dimensional and relaxation times.

Dynamics of Adsorbed Polymers
From 1-D Deuterium NMR Lineshapes and Relaxation Phenomena

Homopolymers
209. a. - M.O. Okuom, B. Metin, F.D. Blum, Segmental Dynamics of Poly(Methyl Acrylate)-d3 Adsorbed on Anopore - A Deuterium NMR Study, Langmuir, 24, 2539-2544 (2008). DOI: 10.1021/la703103j
200. B. Metin and F. D. Blum Segmental Dynamics in Poly(methyl acrylate) on Silica: Molecular-Mass Effects, J. Chem. Phys., 125, 054707-9 (2006). DOI:10.1063/1.2219739
174. a - F D. Blum, B. Gandhi, D. Forciniti, and L. Dharani, Effect of Surface Segmental Mobility on the Adhesion of Acrylic Soft Adhesives, Macromolecules, 38, 481-487(2005).
158. F. D. Blum, W.-Y. Lin, C. E. Porter, Dynamics of Adsorbed Poly(methyl acrylate) and Poly(methyl methacrylate) on Silica, Colloid Polym Sci., 281, 197-202 (2003).
150. F. D. Blum, Graded Interfaces of Polymers on Silica, Silica 2001 CD-ROM, Institut de Chimie des Surfaces et Interfaces, ICSI-CNRS, Mulhouse, France, paper 223, 4pp, 2001.
145.W.-Y. Lin and F.D. Blum, Segmental Dynamics of Interfacial Poly(methyl acrylate)-d3 in Composites by Deuterium NMR Spectroscopy, J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 123, 2032-2037 (2001).
129. W.-Y. Lin and F. D. Blum, Segmental Dynamics of Bulk and Adsorbed Poly(methyl acrylate)-d3 by Deuterium NMR: Effect of Molecular Weight, Macromolecules, 31, 4135-4142 (1998).
124. W.-Y. Lin and F. D. Blum, Segmental Dynamics of Bulk and Adsorbed Poly(methyl acrylate)-d3 by Deuterium NMR: Effect of Adsorbed Amount, Macromolecules 30, 5331-5338 (1997).
121. F.D. Blum, G. Xu, M. Liang, C.G. Wade, Dynamics of Poly(vinyl acetate) in Bulk and on Silica, Macromolecules, 29, 8740-8745 (1996).
119. M. Liang, F.D. Blum, Segmental Motion in Surface-Bound Swollen Poly(methyl acrylate), Macromolecules, 29, 7374-7377 (1996).
72. F.D. Blum, R.B. Funchess, W. Meesiri, Dynamics of Surface Bound Polymers and Coupling Agents, Solid State NMR of Polymers, L. Mathias, Ed., Plenum Press, New York, 1991, p271-281.

Block Copolymers
128. M. Xie and F. D. Blum, Segmental Dynamics of Poly(styrene-b-2-vinylpyridine) in Bulk and at the Surface/Air Interface, J. Polym. Sci.-Polym. Phys. Ed., 36, 1609-1616 (1998).
120. M. Xie, F.D. Blum, Adsorption and Dynamics of Poly(styrene-b-2-vinylpyridine) on Silica and Alumina in Toluene, Langmuir, 12, 5669-5673 (1996).
86. B.R. Sinha, F.D. Blum, F.C. Schwab, Dynamics of Adsorbed, Swollen Block Copolymers, Macromolecules, 26, 7053-7057 (1993).
59. F.D. Blum, B.R. Sinha, F.C. Schwab, Density Profile of Terminally Attached Polymers, Macromolecules, 23, 3592-3598 (1990).

Physical Properties of Adsorbed Polymers
Thermal Behavior of Adsorbed Polymers
203. a. - M. T. Kabomo, F. D. Blum, S. Kulkeratiyut, S. Kulkeratiyut, P. Krisanangkura, Effects of Molecular Mass and Surface Treatment on Adsorbed Poly(methyl methacrylate) on Silica, J. Polym. Sci.: B: Polym. Phys., 46, 649-658 (2008). DOI: 10.1002/polb.21400
195. F. D. Blum, E. N. Young, G. Smith and O. C. Sitton, Thermal Analysis of Adsorbed PMMA on Silica, Langmuir, 22, 4741-4744 (2006).
157. B. Zhang and F.D. Blum, Thermogravimetric Study of Ultra-thin PMMA Films on Silica: Effects of Tacticity, Thermochimica Acta, 396, 211-217 (2003).
155. C. Porter and F. D. Blum, Thermal Characterization of Adsorbed Polystyrene Using Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Macromolecules, 35, 7448-7452 (2002).
142. C. E. Porter and F.D. Blum, Thermal Characterization of PMMA Thin Films Using Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Macromolecules, 33, 7016-7020 (2000).

Adhesion in Thin Films
198. F. D. Blum, R. Vohra, B. Metin, O. C. Sitton, Surface Segmental Mobility and Adhesion - Effects of Filler and Molecular Mass, J. Adhesion, 82, 903-917 (2006). DOI:10.1080/00218460600875920

Bound Carbonyls - IR
197. S. Kulkeratiyut, S. Kulkeratiyut, F. D. Blum, Determination of Bound Carbonyls in PMMA Adsorbed on Silica Using Transmission FTIR, J. Polym. Sci., B, Polym. Phys. Ed, 44, 2071-2078 (2006).

Structure and Dynamics of Bulk Polymers
From 2D Deuterium NMR
189. B. Metin and F.D. Blum, Molecular Mass and Dynamics of Poly(methyl acrylate) in the Glass Transition Region, J. Chem. Phys., 124, 054908-10 (2006).
140. R.D. O'Connor, E. Ginsberg, and F.D. Blum, Solid-state Deuterium NMR of Methyl Dynamics of Poly(α-methylstyrene) and Polymethylphenylsilane, J. Chem. Phys., 112, 7247-7259 (2000).
130. R. D. O'Connor, F. D. Blum, E. Ginsburg, and R. D. Miller, Dynamics of Polymethyl-phenylsilane-d3 by Two-Dimensional Exchange NMR, Macromolecules, 31, 4852-4861 (1998).

From 1-D Deuterium NMR
7. F.D. Blum, J.E. Dickson and W.G. Miller, Effect of Diluents on Poly(vinyl acetate) Dynamics, J. Polym. Sci., Polym. Phys. Ed., 22, 211-221 (1984).

From CP-MAS NMR
71. R.J. Gambogi, D.L. Cho, H. Yasuda, F.D. Blum, Characterization of Plasma Polymerized Hydrocarbons Using Carbon-13 NMR, J. Polym. Sci., Polym. Chem. Ed., 29, 1801-1805 (1991).
50. B.R. Sinha, F.D. Blum and D. O'Connor, Characterization of Substituted Phenol-Formaldehyde Resins Using Solid-State Carbon-13 NMR, J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 38, 163-171 (1989).

Simulations/Models
39. S. Jagannathan, F.D. Blum and C.F. Polnaszek, Computer Simulation of Deuterium NMR Lineshapes, J. Chem. Inf. Comput. Sci., 27, 167-170 (1987).

In solution NMR studies can provide very stringent tests for models of polymer reorientation. We have shown that most of the existing motional theories of polymer dynamics in solution are not capable of mimicking the deuterium relaxation data in a physically realistic way. We have found other ways to use the relaxation data in more qualitative ways to study the effects of composition and temperature on polymer dynamics. This has important consequences in concentrated solutions where the effects of plasticization can be probed. We have also demonstrated some relationships between the segmental motion of the polymer and the diffusion of the solvents.

The same experimental techniques, which are used in polymer reorientation, can also be used to study the reorientation of various diluents in polymeric systems. The dynamics studies can yield information concerning mobility and polymer-diluent interactions. We are currently observing the dynamics of so called "good" solvents, but plan to extend this to plasticizers which are commonly used. In this case the relationship between the mobility of the plasticizers and their ability to plasticize the polymer system will be probed. Again the goal is to relate the microscopic dynamics with the physical properties of the system.

Dynamics of Polymers in Solution
156. F. D. Blum and R. B. Durairaj, Local Segmental Dynamics of Polyacrylates in Concentrated Chloroform Solutions, NMR Spectroscopy of Polymers in Solution and in the Solid State, ACS Symposium Series, #843, American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, H.N. Cheng and A. English, eds. 398-408, 2002.
112. M. Xie and F.D. Blum, Dynamics of Poly(styrene-b-2-vinylpyridine) in Toluene, Macromolecules, 29, 3862-3867 (1996).
91. R.D. O'Connor, F.D. Blum, Log-χ2 Distribution of Correlation Times Revisited, Macromolecules, 27, 1654-1656 (1994).
10. F.D. Blum, B. Durairaj and A.S. Padmanabhan, Backbone Dynamics of Poly(isopropyl acrylate) in Chloroform. A Deuterium NMR Study, Macromolecules, 17, 2837-2846 (1984).

Diluent Mobility
77. B. naNagara, R.D. O'Connor, F.D. Blum, Mobility of Toluene in Polystyrene-Toluene Solutions. A NMR Study, J. Phys. Chem., 96, 6417-6423 (1992).
37. F.D. Blum and B. na Nagara, Solvent Mobility in Atactic Polystyrene-Toluene Systems, in Reversible Polymer Gels, P.S. Russo, Ed., American Chemical Society Symposium Series, 350, 107-114 (1987).
26. F.D. Blum, A.S. Padmanabhan and B. Durairaj, Solvent Self-Diffusion, Polymer NMR Relaxation and Free Volume in Polymer Solutions, J. Polym. Sci., Polym. Phys. Ed., 24, 493-502 (1986).

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Adhesion Promoters/Coupling Agents
Dynamics of polymers adsorbed on solid surfaces can also be studied with NMR and other techniques. We have found that through specific labeling, the sensitivity of the NMR experiment is good enough to obtain quantitative information on composite materials. Extension of our dynamics studies to surface-bound species is useful for comparison of how motions on a surface and in bulk differ. We are studying how various preparations and treatments affect the dynamics of the polymer molecule. These include: surface coverage, solvent type (for solution casting), surface type, temperature, and the presence of various chemical species.

Dynamics of Coupling Agents on Solid Surfaces
165. F. D. Blum, Dynamics of Hybrid and Interfacial Silane Coupling Agents, in Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Materials, eMedix, Hattiesburg, MS, p 303-319, 2003.
100. F.D. Blum, Dynamics of the Interface in a Model Composite System, Macromol. Symp., 86161-169 (1994).
83. J.E. Gambogi, F.D. Blum, Effects of Water on the Interface in a Model Polymer Composite System: A NMR Study, Mater. Sci. Eng., A162, 249-256 (1993).
78. J.E. Gambogi, F.D. Blum, Molecular Mobility of the Interface in a Model Composite. A NMR Study, Macromolecules, 25, 4526-4534 (1992).
74. H.-J. Kang, F.D. Blum, Structure and Dynamics of Amino-functional Silanes Adsorbed On Silica Surfaces, J. Phys. Chem., 95, 9391-9396 (1991).
72. F.D. Blum, R.B. Funchess, W. Meesiri, Dynamics of Surface Bound Polymers and Coupling Agents, Solid State NMR of Polymers, L. Mathias, Ed., Plenum Press, New York, 1991, p271-281.
41. F.D. Blum, R.B. Funchess and W. Meesiri, Dynamics of Surface Bound Species, in Interfaces in Polymer, Ceramic and Metal Matrix Composites, H. Ishida, Ed., Elsevier Science, New York, 1988, p205-213.

Chemical and Mechanical Characterization
167. F. D. Blum, Silane Coupling Agents, Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology, John Wiley & Sons, New York, DOI: 10.1002/0471440264.pst481, 2003.
166. F. D. Blum and R. Laine, editors, Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Materials, eMedix, Hattiesburg, MS, v + 399 pp, 2003. in book and CD form.
138. H. Jo and F. D. Blum, Characterization of the Interface in Polymer-Silica Composites Containing an Acrylic Silane Coupling Agent, Chem. Mater., 11, 2548-2553 (1999).
137. T. W.-H. Wang, F. D. Blum, L. R. Dharani, Effect of Interfacial Mobility on Flexural Strength and Fracture Toughness of Glass/Epoxy Laminates, J. Materials Sci., 34, 4873-4882 (1999).
131. H. Jo, and F. D. Blum, Structure and Adsorption of 3-acryloxypropyltrimeth-oxysilane, Langmuir, 15, 2444-2449 (1999).
118. T. Wang, F.D. Blum, Interfacial Mobility and Its Effect on Interlaminar Fracture Toughness in Glass-Fibre-Reinforced Epoxy Laminates, J. Materials Sci., 31, 5231-5238 (1996).
99. M. Nalini, F.D. Blum, L.R. Dharani, Use of Titanate Coupling Agents in Kevlar/Phenolic Composites, J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 54, 113-123 (1994).
67. F.D. Blum, W. Meesiri, H.-J. Kang, J.E. Gambogi, Hydrolysis, Adsorption and Dynamics of Silane Coupling Agents on Silica Surfaces, J. Adhesion Sci. Tech., 5, 479-496 (1991).
58. H.-J. Kang, W. Meesiri, F.D. Blum, NMR Studies of the Hydrolysis and Molecular Motion of Aminopropylsilane, Mat. Sci. Eng., A126, 265-270 (1990).

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Self-Diffusion

Modifications of existing NMR equipment now make it possible to use the pulsed-gradient spin-echo method to measure self-diffusion coefficients of various species in solution. We have modified our spectrometers to perform this experiment and believe that the technique has had great impact for polymer studies. Our studies have focused on the diffusion in polymer and surfactant systems (See below for surfactants).

Self-diffusion coefficients can provide a very convenient means of studying polymer-solvent interactions. They can be used to test scaling laws and will certainly be sensitive to critical entanglement phenomena. Diffusion coefficients of solvents yield information on the interactions between polymers and solvents. Areas of research include: the role of the solvent in polymeric gels, the determination of the diffusion coefficients multi-component systems and the drying of coatings. The latter is almost impossible to do by any other technique and is of great commercial importance.

General Technique/Reviews
73. S. Pickup, F.D. Blum, Application of One-Dimensional NMR Imaging to Solvent Diffusion Measurements in Polymeric Systems, Solid State NMR of Polymers, L. Mathias, Ed., Plenum Press, New York, 1991, p387-397.
35. S. Pickup and F.D. Blum, One- and Two-Dimensional Imaging On Standard NMR Spectrometer, Spectroscopy, 2(6), 53-55 (1987). (Reviewed in Chemtech, Jan. 1988)
27. F.D. Blum, Pulsed-Gradient Spin-Echo NMR Spectroscopy, Spectroscopy, 1(5), 32-38 (1986).

In Polymer Systems of Polymers
107. R.A. Waggoner, F.D. Blum, J.C. Lang, Diffusion in Aqueous Mixtures of Poly(ethylene glycol) at Low Concentrations, Macromolecules, 28, 2658-2664 (1995).
80. M.B. Mustafa, D.L. Tipton, M.D. Barkley, P.S. Russo, F.D. Blum, Dye Diffusion in Isotropic and Liquid Crystalline Aqueous Hydroxypropylcellulose, Macromolecules, 26, 370-378 (1993).
34. R. Raghavan, T.L. Maver and F.D. Blum, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Measurements of Molecular Weights. Self-Diffusion of Poly(methyl methacrylate) in Acetonitrile, Macromolecules, 20, 814-818 (1987).

In Polymer Systems of Solvents
201. M. J. Purdue, J. M. D. MacElroy, D. F. O'Shea, M. O. Okuom, and F. D. Blum, A Comparative Study of the Properties of Polar and Nonpolar Solvent/Solute/Polystyrene Solutions in Microwave Fields via Molecular Dynamics, J. Chem. Phys., 125, 114902-13 (2006). DOI: 10.1063/1.2353112
196. M. J. Purdue, J. M. D. MacElroy, D. F. O'Shea, M. O. Okuom, and F. D. Blum, Molecular Dynamics of Polystyrene Solutions in Microwave Fields, J. Chem. Phys., 124, 204904-18 (2006).
85. R.A. Waggoner, F.D. Blum, J.M.D. MacElroy, Solvent Diffusion Coefficient Concentration in Polymer Solutions, Macromolecules, 26, 6841-6848 (1993).
55. S. Pickup, F.D. Blum, W.T. Ford, Self-Diffusion Coefficients of Boc-Amino Acid Anhydrides under Conditions of Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis, J. Polym. Sci.: A Polym. Chem., 28, 931-934 (1990).
51. S. Pickup and F.D. Blum, Self-Diffusion of Toluene in Polystyrene Solutions, Macromolecules, 22, 3961-3968 (1989).
48. R.A. Waggoner and F.D. Blum, Solvent-Diffusion and Drying of Coatings, J. Coat. Tech., 61(#768), 51-56 (1989). (Finalist in the Roon Award Competition of the Federation of Coatings Societies).
40. W.T. Ford, B.J. Ackerson, F.D. Blum, M. Periyasamy and S. Pickup, Self-Diffusion Coefficients of Solvents in Polystyrene Gels, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 109, 7376-7380 (1987).
38. S. Pickup and F.D. Blum, Solvent Self Diffusion in Polystyrene-Solvent Systems, J. Coat. Tech., 59(#753), 53-59 (1987).
30. F.D. Blum, S. Pickup and K. Foster, Solvent Self-Diffusion in Polymer Solutions, J. Colloid Interface Sci., 113, 336-341 (1986).
28. S. Pickup, F.D. Blum, W.T. Ford and M. Periyasamy, Transport of Small Molecules in Swollen Polymer Beads, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 108, 3987-3990 (1986).
26. F.D. Blum, A.S. Padmanabhan and B. Durairaj, Solvent Self-Diffusion, Polymer NMR Relaxation and Free Volume in Polymer Solutions, J. Polym. Sci., Polym. Phys. Ed., 24, 493-502 (1986).
8. K.R. Foster, E. Cheever, J.B. Leonard and F.D. Blum, Transport Properties of Polymer Solutions: A Comparative Approach, Biophys. J., 45, 975-984 (1984).

Dynamics in Surfactant Systems
The structure and dynamics in surfactant systems are probed using various techniques. Of special interest is the mobility and microstructure in microemulsions, micelles, and liquid crystals, polymerized surfactants and surface-adsorbed surfactants.

The structure of microemulsions has been probed by a variety of techniques such as conductance, self-diffusion coefficients, thermal conductivity, etc. The results are used to imply the structure of these systems. We have studied conventional 4-component systems and find many of these properties dominated by the hydration of the surfactant. However, in more novel 3-component systems, conductivity and self-diffusion measurements reveal very startling information about their structure.

Synthesis of novel surfactants (especially alkyl-aryl sulfonates) with deuterium labels provides means for studying, via deuterium NMR, the unique thermal behavior of the liquid crystalline phases they form. These molecules could also be used as probes for the phase behavior of much more complicated systems such as those found in tertiary oil recovery. Sodium-23 NMR is also being used to study the ion-binding and micelle formation in these surfactants as well as other surfactants which can be polymerized to form much more stable systems. Finally, we are interested in the synthesis and characterization of surfactants which are polymerizable and may show superior stability in systems where they are used.

Microemulsions
62. Y.-J. Uang, T.D. Flaim, F.D. Blum, W/O Microemulsion Studies with Mono- and Dialkyl-Amic acid Surfactants, J. Colloid Interface Sci., 139, 381-391 (1990).
53. P.M. Lindemuth, J.R. Duke, F.D. Blum, R.L. Venable, Dynamic Behavior in Isotropic Regions of Tetradecylpyridinium Bromide/Pentanol/Heptane/Water System, J. Colloid Interface Sci., 135, 539-546 (1990).
47. F.D. Blum, D.F. Evans, B. na Nagara and G.G. Warr, Dynamic Behavior in Hexadecyloctyldimethylammonium Bromide/Alkane/Water Microemulsions, Langmuir, 4, 1257-1261 (1988).
24. S.J. Chen, D.F. Evans, B.W. Ninham, D.J. Mitchell, F.D. Blum and S.Pickup, Curvature as a Determinant of Microstructure and Microemulsions, J. Phys. Chem., 90, 842-847 (1986).
20. E. Cheever, F.D. Blum, K.R. Foster and R.A. Mackay, Self-Diffusion of Water in Ionic and Non-Ionic Microemulsions, J. Colloid Interface Sci., 104, 121-129 (1985).
17. F.D. Blum, S. Pickup, B. Ninham, S.J. Chen and D.F. Evans, Structure and Dynamics in Three-Component Microemulsions, J. Phys. Chem., 89, 711-713 (1985).
13. K.R. Foster, E. Cheever, J.B. Leonard, F.D. Blum and R.A. Mackay, Transport Properties in Oil-in-Water Microemulsions, p275-286, ACS Symposium Series, 272, Macro- and Microemulsions: Theory and Applications, D.O. Shah, Ed., American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, 1985.

Liquid Crystals and Micelles
97. J.R. Duke, F.D. Blum, NMR Relaxation Behavior of the Headgroup of SHBS Liquid Crystals, Langmuir, 10, 2429-2435 (1994).
76. Y.-J. Uang, F.D. Blum, S.E. Friberg, J.-F. Wang, Deuterium NMR and Low Angle X-Ray Studies of a Polymerizable Liquid Crystalline System, Langmuir, 8, 1487-1491 (1992).
70. J.R. Duke, R.B. Funchess, F.D. Blum, Motion of the Head Group of SHBS in Lamellar Liquid Crystals, Langmuir, 7, 1909-1914 (1991).
36. F.D. Blum, E.I. Franses, W.G. Miller, K.D. Rose and R.G. Bryant, Structure and Dynamics in Lamellar Liquid Crystals. Effect of Agitation and Aging on Deuterium NMR Lineshapes, Langmuir, 3, 448-452 (1987).
21. B. Durairaj and F.D. Blum, Micelle Formation and Terminal Double Bonds in Sodium Carboxylates, J. Colloid Interface Sci., 106, 561-564 (1985).
14. F.D. Blum, A.S. Padmanabhan and R. Mohebbi, Self-Diffusion of Water in Smectic Liquid Crystals, Langmuir, 1, 127-131 (1985).
9. W.G. Miller, F.D. Blum, H.T. Davis, E.I. Franses, E.W. Kaler, P.K. Kilpatrick, K.J. Nietering, J.E. Puig and L.E. Scriven, Fluid Microstructures of Sodium 4-(1'-Heptylnonyl)benzene sulfonate Mixtures, p175-191, in Surfactants in Solution, vol. 1, K. Mittal and B. Lindman, eds., Plenum Press, New York, 1984.
4. F.D. Blum and W.G. Miller, Temperature Dependence of Molecular Motion in Smectic Liquid Crystals of Hydrated Sodium 4-(1'-Heptylnonyl)benzenesulfonate, J. Phys. Chem., 86, 1729-1734 (1982).
3. P.K. Kilpatrick, F.D. Blum, H.T. Davis, A.H. Falls, E.W. Kaler, W.G. Miller, J.E. Puig, L.E. Scriven, Y. Talmon and N.A. Woodbury, Alcohol Effects on Transitions in Liquid Crystalline Dispersions, p143-172, in Microemulsions, I.D. Robb, ed., Plenum Press, 1982.
2. P.S. Russo, F.D. Blum, J.D. Ipsen, Y.J. Abul-Hajj, and W.G. Miller, The Solubility and Surface Activity of the Ceratocystis-ulmi Toxin Cerato-ulmin, Physiological Plant Pathology, 19, 113-126 (1981).

Syntheses in organized media produce materials which behave differently than those in isotropic solution. We are currently interested in the properties of polymerized surfactants which may serve as media to store reactants or prevent redeposition of solubilized organics. We are also studying how copolymerization occurs as a function of the location of the comonomer in the liquid crystal.

We have extended our previous work on the NMR of liquid crystals to surfactants adsorbed at interfaces. NMR has been used to probe both the mobility and structure in systems where the surfactants adsorb as mono-and bilayers at metal oxide interfaces.

Polymerized/Oligomerized Surfactants
76. Y.-J. Uang, F.D. Blum, S.E. Friberg, J.-F. Wang, Deuterium NMR and Low Angle X-Ray Studies of a Polymerizable Liquid Crystalline System, Langmuir, 8, 1487-1491 (1992).
63. R.J. Gambogi, F.D. Blum, Dynamics of Micellar Oligomeric and Monomeric Sodium 10-Undecenoate, J. Colloid Interface Sci., 140, 525-534 (1990).
49. B. Durairaj and F.D. Blum, Synthesis and Dynamics of Oligomeric Micelles, Langmuir, 5, 370-372 (1989)

Surfactants at Interfaces/Emulsion Gels
211. a. - G. Xu, F. D. Blum, Surfactant-Enhanced Free Radical Polymerization of Styrene in Emulsion Gels, Polymer, 49, 3233-3238 (2008).
199. G. Xu, R. R. Nambiar, F. D. Blum, Room-Temperature Decomposition of 2,2'-Azobis(isobutyronitrile) in Emulsion Gels With and Without Silica, J. Colloid Interface Sci., 302, 658-661 (2006). doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2006.07.015
143. K. Nagashima and F. D. Blum, Adsorption and Dynamics of Sodium Alkylbenzenesulfonate on Alumina, Colloids and Surfaces A, 176, 17-24 (2001).
136. K. Nagashima and F. D. Blum, Proton Adsorption onto Alumina: Extension of Multisite Complexation (MUSIC) Theory, J. Colloid Interface Sci., 217, 28-36 (1999).
132. K. Nagashima, F.D. Blum, Adsorption of Sodium n-Decylbenzene Sulfonate on Alumina: Relationships between Macro- and Microscopic Behavior, J. Colloid Interface Sci., 214, 8-15 (1999).
81. E. Soderlind, F.D. Blum, Structure of Sodium 4-(1'-Heptylnonyl)benzenesulfonate Adsorbed on Alumina Using 2H NMR, J. Colloid Interface Sci., 157, 172-179 (1993).

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Nanoparticles and Epitaxial Films
We have been involved in the synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles. The use of polymers to complex the growing metal clusters often gives them unique shapes, and hopefully, new applications. Epitaxial films can also be made from chemical syntheses at much lower temperatures that found in conventional ceramic processing.

Nanoparticles, Nanowires, and Nanocomposites
210. a. - Z.F. Li, F.D. Blum, M.F. Bertino, C.S. Kim, and S.K. Pillalamarri, One-step fabrication of a polyaniline nanofiber vapor sensor, Sensors & Actuators: B. Chemical, in press.
186. a - S. K. Pillalamarri, F. D. Blum, A. T. Tokuhiro, and M. F. Bertino, One-pot Synthesis of Polyaniline-Metal Nanocomposites, Chem. Materials, 17, 5941-5944 (2005).
188. D. Lahiri, S. Chattopadhyayy, B.A. Bunker, C.M. Doudna, M.F. Bertino, F. Blum, A Tokuhiro, and J. Terry, EXAFS Studies of Bimetallic Ag-Pt and Ag-Pd Nanorods, Physica Scripta, T115, 776-780 (2005).
185. a. - D. Lahiri, B. Bunker, B. Mishra, Z. Zhang, D. Meisel, C. M. Doudna, M. F. Bertino, F. D. Blum, and A. T. Tokuhiro, S. Chattopadhyay, T. Shibata, and J. Terry, Bimetallic Pt-Ag and Pd-Ag Nanoparticles, J. Appl. Phys., 97, 094304-8 (2005).
184. a. - L.K. Werake, J. G. Story, M. F. Bertino, S. K. Pillalamarri, and F. D. Blum, Photolithographic Synthesis of Polyaniline Fibers, Nanotechnology, 16, 2833-7 (2005).\
176. a. - S. K. Pillalamarri, F. D. Blum and M. F. Bertino, Synthesis of polyaniline-gold nanocomposites using "grafting from" approach, Chem. Comm., 4584-5 (2005).
175. a. - S. K. Pillalamarri, F. D. Blum, A. T. Tokuhiro, J. G. Story, and M. F. Bertino, Radiolytic Synthesis of Polyaniline Nanofibers: A New Template-less Pathway, Chem. Materials, 17, 227-229 (2005). This work was reviewed in MRS Bulletin, 30(Feb. 2005), p152-3.
163. C. M. Doudna, M. F. Bertino, F. D. Blum, A. T. TokuhiroDebdutta Lahiri-Dey, Soma Chattopadhyay, B.A.Bunker, and Jeff Terry, Radiolytic Synthesis of Bimetallic Ag-Pt Nanoparticles with High Aspect Ratio, J. Phys. Chem. B, 107, 2966-2970 (2003).

Epitaxial Films
187. S. K. Patil, N. Shah, F. D. Blum, and M. N. Rahaman, Fourier Transform Infrared Analysis of Hydroxyl Content of Hydrothermally Processed Heteroepitaxial Barium Titanate Films, J. Mater. Res., 20, 3312-3319 (2005).
169. c. - S. Patil, N. Shah, F. D. Blum, and M. N. Rahaman, Characterization of Hydroxyl Content of Hydrothermal Barium Titanate Films, Ceramic Transactions, 150, 79-88, 2004. Ceramic Materials and Multilayer Electronic Devices, K.M. Nair, A.S. Bhalla, S.-I. Hirano, D. Suvorov, W. Zhu, and R. Schwartz, eds. American Ceramic Society, Westerville, OH.
154. E. Ciftci, M. N. Rahaman, and F. D. Blum, Hydrothermal Deposition and Characterization of Heteroepitaxial BaTiO3 Films on SrTiO3 and LaAlO3 Single Crystals, J. Materials Sci., 37, 3361-3367 (2002).
151. E. Ciftci, M. N. Rahaman, M. Shumsky and F. D. Blum, Hydrothermal Synthesis of Heteroepitaxial Barium Titanate Thin Films, in Dielectric Materials and Devices, Edited by K. M. Nair, A. S. Bhalla, T. K. Gupta, S.-I. Hirano, and B. V. Hiremath. The American Ceramic Society, Westerville, OH, 2001, p. 279-288.

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Non-asbestos Friction Materials and Mechanical Characterization of Composites
With Professor Lokesh Dharani, Mechanical Engineering, we have developed a Friction Materials Laboratory jointly between the two departments. Work in this laboratory is involved in understanding and evaluation of physical and chemical properties of friction materials, including charaterization of raw materials. The main goal is to help industry produce friction materials which do not contain asbestos and are safe, reliable and cost-effective. There have been a number of projects done in this laboratory which have directly benefited local and national industry.

Chemical Characterization of Friction-Related Materials
50. B.R. Sinha, F.D. Blum and D. O'Connor, Characterization of Substituted Phenol-Formaldehyde Resins Using Solid-State Carbon-13 NMR, J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 38, 163-171 (1989).
50. B.R. Sinha, F.D. Blum and D. O'Connor, Characterization of Substituted Phenol-Formaldehyde Resins Using Solid-State Carbon-13 NMR, J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 38, 163-171 (1989).
33. F.D. Blum and D. O'Connor, Thermal Stability of Substituted Phenol-Formaldehyde Resins, J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 33, 1933-1941 (1987).

Mechanical Properties of Friction-Related Materials
125.P. Gopal, L.R. Dharani, F.D. Blum, Fracture Behavior of Chopped Glass Strand Reinforced Phenolic Composites, Polymers & Polymer Composites, 5, 327-335 (1997).
52. S. Narayan, B.R. Sinha, F.D. Blum, L.R. Dharani, Y.-R. Chen, Non-Asbestos Friction Materials: Mechanical Properties of Binary Systems, SAMPE Quarterly, 21(2), 17-22 (1990).
61. L.R. Dharani, Y.-R. Chen, F.D. Blum, S. Narayan, Non-asbestos Friction Materials: Fracture Toughness of Binary Systems, Sampe Quart., 22(1), 62-64 (1990).
82. N. Subramaniam, F.D. Blum, P. Gopal, L.R. Dharani, Interface Characterization of Kevlar/Phenolic Composites, SAMPE Quarterly, 24(3), 15-20 (1993).
84. S. Narayan, F.D. Blum, L. Dharani, Effects of Moisture and Other Contaminants in Friction Composites, Polym. Eng. Sci., 33, 1204-1211 (1993).
90. P. Gopal, L.R. Dharani, N. Subramaniam, F.D. Blum, 'Bunpe-Debond' Technique for Characterizing Fiber/Matrix Interfacial Adhesion, J. Mater. Sci., 29, 1185-1190 (1994). (This work has been highlighted in Amer. Cer. Soc. Bull., 74(10), 22, 1995.)

Frictional Properties of Friction-Related Materials
69. N. Subramaniam, B.R. Sinha, F.D. Blum, Y.-R. Chen and L.R. Dharani, Glass Fiber Based Friction Materials., Intern. J. Polymeric Mater., 15, 93-102 (1991).
93. P. Gopal, L.R. Dharani, F.D. Blum, Fade and Wear Characteristics of a Glass Fiber Reinforced Phenolic Friction Material, Wear, 174, 119-127 (1994).
106. P. Gopal, L.R. Dharani, F.D. Blum, Load, Speed and Temperature Sensitivities of a Carbon Fiber Reinforced Phenolic Friction Material, Wear, 181-183, 913-921 (1995).
113. P. Gopal, L.R. Dharani, F.D. Blum, Hybrid Phenolic Friction Composites Containing Kevlar Pulp: Part I - Enhancement of Friction and Wear Performance, Wear, 193, 199-206 (1996).
114. P. Gopal, L.R. Dharani, F.D. Blum, Hybrid Phenolic Friction Composites Containing Kevlar Pulp: Part II - Wear Surface Characteristics, Wear, 193, 180-185 (1996).
115. F. Dong, F. D. Blum and L.R. Dharani, Lapinus Fiber Reinforced Phenolic Composites: Flexural and Frictional Properties, Polymers & Polymer Composites, 4, 155-161 (1996).
141. F. Dong, F. D. Blum, L. R. Dharani, Effects of Molding Pressure on the Mechanical and Frictional Properties of a Semi-Metallic Friction Material, Polym. Polym. Composites, 8, 151-156 (2000).

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Disclaimer:
"Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation."