Episode 14: Mixed-method approach characterizes nanovoids in polymer films

In this podcast episode, MRS Bulletin’s Laura Leay interviews Falon Kalutantirige from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Ying Li from the University of Wisconsin-Madison about their approach and discovery when characterizing nanovoids in polymer films. Using polyamide (PA) membranes as their subject of study, the researchers applied graph theory combined with electron tomography and molecular dynamics simulations to characterize the morphology of the nanovoids. The key to understanding permeance of the membranes lies in understanding the void space that was mapped using electron tomography. Using their mixed-method approach, the researchers were able to relate the nanoscale morphology to membrane function. Taking this beyond the study of PA membranes, the research team showed how nanovoids impact the synthesis‒morphology‒function relationships of complex nanomaterials. This work was published in a recent issue of Nature Communications.