Contact Information

WH

Dr. Weiguo Hu


Director, Nuclear Magentic Resonance Laboratories
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Silvio O. Conte National Center for Polymer Research
120 Governor's Drive
Amherst, MA 01003-9263
Office: Conte A-328
E-mail: whu at data.pse.umass.edu
Phone: (413)577-1428

Research Interest

Critical in many macroscopic properties, the profile of molecular dynamics in polymeric materials is complex, influenced by factors such as chain microstructure, morphology, and intermolecular interactions. With the ability to probe molecular dynamics with chemical and phase resolution, solid-state NMR is in a unique position to study this essential molecular trait. We employ and develop solid-state NMR techniques to study molecular dynamics and its relationship with chemical structure and assembly behavior, and inquire how it governs materials' macroscopic properties such as those under extreme dynamic environments.

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

  • “Glass Transition in Microdomains in Phase Mixed Polymers”. N. V. Patil, W. Hu, A. J. Hsieh. submitted to Polymer
  • “Segmental Motion in the Amorphous Domains of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Fibers.” N. V. Patil, W. Hu. submitted to Macromolecules
  • “The effect of Aging on Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Crystallinity and Hole Conductivity.” X. Shen, V. Duzhko, W. Hu, T. P. Russell. in preparation
  • “Comparison of Crystallinity in Poly(3-Hexylthiophene) by X-Ray Scattering, Density, and Solid-State NMR.” X. Shen, W. Hu, T. P. Russell. submitted to Macromolecules
  • “New Insight into Microstructure-Mediated Segmental Dynamics in Select Model Poly(urethane urea) Elastomers”, A. J. Hsieh, T. L. Chantawansri, W. Hu et al., Polymer, 2014, 55, 1883-1892
  •  “Phase-Mixing and Molecular Dynamics in Poly(urethane urea) Elastomers by Solid-State NMR”, Polymer. 2013, 54, 6218-6225
  • “Chemical structure changes in kerogen from bituminous coal in response to 1 dike intrusions as investigated by advanced solid-state 13C NMR spectroscopy.” X. Cao, M. A. Chappell, A. Schimmelmann, M. Mastalerz, Y. Li, W. Hu, J. Mao, Int. J. Coal Geology. 2013, 108, 53-64
  •  “Interaction between Antimicrobial Oligomers and Membrane Studied by Solid-State NMR”, W. Hu, A. Som, G. N. Tew, J. Phys. Chem. B 2011, 115, 8474–8480.
  • “A possible degree of motional freedom in bacterial chemoreceptor cytoplasmic domains and its potential role in signal transduction”. W. Hu, Int. J. Biochem Mol Biol 2011, 2(2):99-110
  • “Filler Distribution and Domain Size of Elastomer Compounds by Solid-State NMR and AFM”, W. Hu, M. D. Ellul, A. H. Tsou, S. Datta, Rubber Chemistry and Technology, 80 (2007), 2-13
  • "Adhesion Between Dissimilar Polymers: II. Effects of Bonding Temperature and Crosslinking Agent", M. F. Tse, W. Hu, M. S. Yeganeh, D. Zhang, J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 93 (2004), 323-335
  • "Monoclinic Crystallites in Ethylene Copolymers Detected by Solid-State NMR and X-Ray Diffraction", W. Hu, E. B. Sirota, Macromolecules, 36 (2003), 5144-5149
  • "Crosslinking Densities and Phase Morphologies in Thermoplastic Vulcanizates", M. Ellul, A. H. Tsou, W. Hu, Polymer, 45 (2004), 3351-3358
  • "Long-Chain Branched Polypropylene", W. Weng, W. Hu, A. Dekmezian, C. J. Ruff; Macromolecules, 35 (2002), 3838-3843
  • "Crystalline Structure and Properties of EP and EB Copolymers by WAXS, DSC, and Solid-State NMR", W. Hu, S. Srinivas, E. B. Sirota, Macromolecules, 35 (2002), 5013-5024
  • “Suitability of different 13C solid-state NMR techniques in the characterization of humic acids”. J. Mao, W. Hu, et al. Int’l J. Environ. Anal. Chem.  82(2002),  183-196
  • “Poly(methylene) Crystalline Component in humic substances detected by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance”, W.-G. Hu, J. Mao, B. Xing, K. Schmidt-Rohr; Environmental Science and Technology, 34 (2000), 530-534
  • “Characterization of Ultradrawn UHMWPE Fibers by NMR: Crystallinity, Domain Size, and a Highly Mobile Second Amorphous Phase”, W.-G. Hu, K. Schmidt-Rohr; Polymer, 41 (2000), 2979-2987
  • “Quantification of Chemical Composition of Humic Acids by Solid-State 13C NMR”, J. Mao, W.-G. Hu, K. Schmidt-Rohr, G. Davies, E. A. Ghabbour, B. Xing; Soil Science Society of America Journal, 64 (2000), 873-884
  • "Principles of Centerband-Only Detection of Exchange in Solid-State NMR, and Extension to Four-Time CODEX", E. R. de Azevedo, W.-G. Hu, T. J. Bonagamba, K. Schmidt-Rohr; Journal of Chemical Physics, 112 (2000), 8988-9001
  • “Crystalline Chain Flips in Polyethylene Crystallites and Fibers Detected by Dipolar 13C NMR”, W.-G. Hu, C. Boeffel, K. Schmidt-Rohr; Macromolecules, 32 (1999), 1611-1619
  • “Efficient Spin Diffusion of Transverse 13C Magnetization”, W.-G. Hu, H. Zimmermann, K. Schmidt-Rohr; Applied Magnetic Resonance, 17 (1999), 197-209
  • “Centerband-Only Detection of Exchange in Magic-Angle Spinning NMR of Solids”, E. R. de Azevedo, W.-G. Hu, T. J. Bonagamba, K. Schmidt-Rohr; Journal of American Chemical Society, 121 (1999), 8411-8412
  •  “Polymer Drawability: The Crucial Role of ac -Relaxation Chain Mobility in the Crystallites”, W.-G. Hu, K. Schmidt-Rohr; Acta Polymerica, 50 (1999), 271-285 (Feature Article)
  •  “Elucidation of the Chain Conformation in a Glassy Polyester, PET, by Two-Dimensional NMR”, K. Schmidt-Rohr, W. Hu, N. Zumbulyadis; Science, 280 (1998), 714-717
  • “Determination of the Peptide Torsion Angle f by 15N Chemical Shift and 13Ha-1Ha Dipolar Tensor Correlation in Solid-State MAS NMR”, M. Hong, J. D. Gross, W. Hu, R. G. Griffin; Journal of Magnetic Resonance, 135 (1998), 169-177

 

PATENTS

  • “Propylene Ethylene Polymers”. C. Cozewith, S. Datta, W. Hu, US 6525157
  • “Blends Made from Propylene Ethylene Polymers”. C. Cozewith, S. Datta, W. Hu, US 6921794
  • “Propylene Ethylene Polymers” EP 1377616A1, WO 2002083753
  • “Propylene Ethylene Polymers and Production Process”. S. Datta, W. Hu,  P. S. Ravishankar, B. A. Harrington, G. Rodriguez, WO2002083754A1, EP1390417A1   
  • “Low Density Ethylene Copolymer, A Process for Making Same and Blends Comprising Such Copolymer”, W. Hu, T. C. Yu, WO2004039852A1
  • “Blends Made from Propylene Ethylene Polymers”. C. Cozewith, S. Datta, W. Hu, U.S. Patent Application  US20030130430A1
  • “Propylene Ethylene Polymers and Production Process”. S. Datta, W. Hu,  P. S. Ravishankar, B. A. Harrington, G. Rodriguez, US 7232871
  • "Molecular Sieve Catalyst Composition, Its Making and Use in Conversion Processes", Y.-F. Chang, W. Hu et al., US11818403, WO2005039761A2
  • “Articles Made from Blends Made from Propylene Ethylene Polymers”. C. Cozewith, S. Datta, W. Hu, US 7026404
  • “Blends Made from Propylene Ethylene Polymers”. US20050131155A1
  • “Blends Made from Propylene Ethylene Polymers”. US20050171285A1
  • “Blends Made from Propylene Ethylene Polymers”. US20060122334A1
  • “Propylene ethylene polymers and production process”. US20060160966A1
  • “Transparent Polyolefin Compositions”, S. Datta, W. Hu, K. Kwalik, and T. Ouhadi, US 11402333
  • “Thermoplastic Vulcanizate Adhesive Compositions”, J. Crafton, W. Hu, J. Johnson, US 11297936
  • “Use of Metal Oxides and Salts to Enhance Adhesion to Steels”.  W. Hu, J. Johnson, US 11371030
  •  “Thermoplastic Vulcanizates with Advantageous Adhesion to Polar Substrates”.  W. Hu, J. Johnson, US 7790809

BOOK CHAPTERS, REPORTS, AND CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

  • "Conformational structure of amorphous polymers studied by double-quantum NMR".    K. Schmidt-Rohr, M. G. Dunbar, W. Hu, B. M. Novak, D. Sandstroem, ACS Polymeric Materials Science and Engineering  (1998),  78,  129. 
  •  “Structure and Elemental Composition of Humic Acids: Comparison Between Solid-State 13C NMR and Chemical Analyses”, J. Mao, W. Hu, K. Schmidt-Rohr, G. Davies, E. A. Ghabbour, B. Xing; in Humic Substances: Structures, Properties and Uses, pg. 83, The Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, U. K., 1998
  • "From aliphatic polyesters to 'contaminated' polyethylenes: synthesis and solid-state characterization of potentially self-organizing polyesters".    J. Penelle, C. Le Fevere De Ten Hove, J. Schall, A. Jonas, W. Hu, K. Schmidt-Rohr, A. J. Waddon, Polymer Preprints (1999),  40(1),  617-618
  •  “NMR Evidence for Crystalline Domains in Humic Substances”, W.-G. Hu, J. Mao, B. Xing, K. Schmidt-Rohr; in Understanding Humic Substances: Advanced Methods, Properties and Applications, pg. 63, The Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, U. K., 1999
  • “Evaluation of Solid-State NMR Techniques in the Characterization of Humic Acids”, B. Xing, J. Mao, W. Hu, K. Schmidt-Rohr, G. Davies, E. A. Ghabbour; in Understanding Humic Substances: Advanced Methods, Properties and Applications, pg. 49, The Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, U. K., 1999
  • "Structure and mobility of end groups and defects in isotactic polypropylene examined by solid-state NMR". W.-G. Hu, ACS Polymeric Materials Science and Engineering  (2000),  82, 143-144. 
  • "Crosslink Densities and Phase Morphologies in Thermoplastic Vulcanizates", M. D. Ellul, A. H. Tsou, W. Hu, Rubber Expo 2001, 160th, 1260-1282
  • "Structure and property of long chain branched isotactic polypropylene".  W. Weng, W. Hu, A. H. Dekmezian, Polymer Preprints (2003),  44(2),  17
  • "Defects in Ethylene-Propylene Copolymer Crystals Drive Change in Lattice Geometry",  National Synchrotron Light Source Science Highlight, http://nslsweb.nsls.bnl.gov/nsls/sci&tech/science/ 2003/03-Hu.htm
  • "Polyolefin Elastomers with Isotactic Propylene Crystallinity", S. Datta, S. Srinivas, C. Y. Cheng, W. Hu, A. Tsou, D. J. Lohse, Rubber World, 229 (2003), 55-67
  • “Novel specialty polyolefin elastomers - structure, defects and miscibility”, S. Datta, W. Hu, ANTEC-SPE  (2004),  62nd(Vol. 3),  4224-4228