Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Ultra-Stable Protein-Polymer Bioconjugates, Kyle S. Cole

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Synthesis And Characterizations Of Pyridinium Salts Including Poly(Pyridinium Salt)S And Their Applications, Tae Soo Jo

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Pyridinium salts, both molecular and polymeric, are an interesting class of multifunctional materials that exhibit liquid-crystalline and light-emitting properties. Moreover, their properties can be easily tuned by introducing new types of anions or by modifying their chemical structures. This dissertation describes synthesis and characterization of poly(pyridinium salt)s containing macrocounterions and fluorene moieties in their backbones, synthesis and characterization of nanocomposites of poly(pyridinium salt)s with single-walled carbon nanotubes via non-covalent interactions, and synthesis and characterizations of pyridinium salts having different aliphatic linkages and their application in organic acid sensing.

First, all of these ionic polymers were prepared by either ring-transmutation or …

The Effects Of Color Concentrates On The Rheology Of Tint Bases, Doug James Herrick

Master's Theses

ABSTRACT

THE EFFECTS OF COLOR CONCENTRATES ON THE RHEOLOGY OF TINT BASES

Douglas James Herrick

Waterborne coatings are formulated with a number of different ingredients; water, latex polymers, pigments, surfactants, dispersants, defoamers, biocides, coalescing aids, and rheology modifiers or thickeners. Rheology modifiers are necessary in order to improve the physical properties of the coating before, during, and after application to a substrate. There are two kinds of rheology modifiers used in waterborne coatings; associative thickeners and non-associative thickeners. Coatings formulated with associative thickeners are quite sensitive to coating variations; the slightest change in the formulation has profound effects on the …

Controlling Nanoparticle Dispersion For Nanoscopic Self-Assembly, Nathan S. Starkweather

Master's Theses

Nanotechnology is the manipulation of matter and devices on the nanometer scale. Below the critical dimension length of 100nm, materials begin to display vastly different properties than their macro- or micro- scale counterparts. The exotic properties of nanomaterials may trigger the start of a new technological revolution, similar to the electronics revolution of the late 20^th century. Current applications of nanotechnology primarily make use of nanoparticles in bulk, often being made into composites or mixtures. While these materials have fantastic properties, organization of nano and microstructures of nanoparticles may allow the development of novel devices with many unique properties. …

In Situ Measurements Of Electron-Beam-Induced Surface Voltage Of Highly Resistive Materials, Joshua Hodges

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Surface charging and subsequent electrostatic discharge due to interactions with the space environment is one of the primary concerns of spacecraft charging studies. Laboratory measurements of the evolution of surface voltages and dissipation currents under simulated space conditions are the primary method used to determine the response of key spacecraft materials to diverse incident fluxes. Increasing the database of information for the electronic properties of insulating materials can assist spacecraft designers in mitigating the harsh effects of the space environment.

The Utah State Materials Physics Group, with the funding of the NASA James Webb Space Telescope project and personnel support …

Understanding Corrosion Protection And Failure Through Model Polymers In Thin Films, Joshua Smith Hanna

Dissertations

When developing a model polymeric system to facilitate in the detection of molecular and microscopic events that preface macroscopic corrosive failure; a better understanding of how polymers can indicate corrosion was accomplished. Initially, the thought that molecular chain scission as a necessity for corrosion to occur had to be tested. Through the utilization of high molecular weight thermoplastic (HMWTP) model polymers, it was found that corrosion protection did not correlate to the quantity of weak bonds within an epoxy-amine polymer matrix. Therefore more sensitive methods of detecting corrosion had to be developed since changes within the polymer matrix did not …

Polymer Surface Engineering Via Thiol-Mediated Reactions, Ryan Matthew Hensarling

Dissertations

Synthesis of polymer brushes to decorate a surface with desired functionality typically involves surface-initiated polymerization (SIP) of functional, but non-reactive monomers. This approach suffers major drawbacks associated with synthesizing sufficiently thick polymer brushes containing surface-attached polymer chains of high molecular weight at high grafting density (i.e. cost, synthetic effort and functional group intolerance during polymerization). The research herein seeks to circumvent these limitations by the decoration of surfaces with polymer chains bearing specific pendent functional groups amenable to post-polymerization modification (PPM). In particular, this dissertation leverages PPM via a specific class of click reactions – thiol-click – that 1) enables …

Synthesis, Characterization, And Functionalization Of 2-Vinyl-4,4-Dimethylazlactone Brushes To Create Bio-Inspired Materials, Camille Marie Kite

Masters Theses

Functional materials built from polymer scaffolds inspire many potential uses, including as biomaterial surfaces or sensors. In situ functionalization using well-defined polymer “brushes” made by tethering polymer chains to a surface by one of their ends is explored. Specifically, poly(2-vinyl-4,4-dimethylazlactone) (PVDMA) chains, which contain a reactive azlactone ring at each repeat unit, are tethered to a surface to create brushes and these films are functionalized using a variety of small molecules, primarily amines or peptides. Relationships between polymer brush thickness, size of the functionalizing molecule, solution concentration, reaction time, and extent of functionalization were determined through measurements of brush thickness …

Synthesis, Structure And Attempted Polymerization Of A Diepoxide Macrocycle, Paul Yarincik, Jeffrey H. Glans

Chemistry & Physics Faculty Publications

A novel diepoxide containing paracyclophane was synthesized by peracid oxidation of a known paracyclophane diene. The resulting diepoxide was characterized. It was investigated as a potential monomer for a cyclophane containing polyether by cationic ring opening polymerization. None of the standard catalyst systems for such a polymerization were successful in producing polymer.

Magnesium-Based Sacrificial Anode Cathodic Protection Coatings (Mg-Rich Primers) For Aluminum Alloys, Shashi S. Pathak, Sharathmukar K. Mendon, Michael D. Blanton, James W. Rawlins

Faculty Publications

Magnesium is electrochemically the most active metal employed in common structural alloys of iron and aluminum. Mg is widely used as a sacrificial anode to provide cathodic protection of underground and undersea metallic structures, ships, submarines, bridges, decks, aircraft and ground transportation systems. Following the same principle of utilizing Mg characteristics in engineering advantages in a decade-long successful R&D effort, Mg powder is now employed in organic coatings (termed as Mg-rich primers) as a sacrificial anode pigment to protect aerospace grade aluminum alloys against corrosion. Mg-rich primers have performed very well on aluminum alloys when compared against the current chromate …

Anti-Corrosion Performance Of Primer And Top Coat Formulations For Metal Substrates, Laural Elizabeth Hargrove

Master's Theses

This project involved the improvement of several properties of the current “universal” primer coating sold by Kelly-Moore Paint Company. This formulation is an all purpose primer used both for interior and exterior applications. However, its corrosion resistance has room for improvement. The addition of sodium nitrite, an aminocarboxylate salt, and a zinc phosphate-based additive were all tested as corrosion inhibitors. In addition, during the project the coating binder was changed to improve adhesion. After a systematic experimental program, a new “universal” primer with increased corrosion resistance and adhesion was formulated.

A direct to metal top coat formulation sold by Kelly-Moore …

Immobilized Bis-Indenyl Ligands For Stable And Cost-Effective Metallocene Catalysts Of Hydrogenation And Polymerization Reactions, Thomas Max Simerly

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Reactions of catalytic hydrogenations and polymerizations are widely used in industry for manufacture of fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and plastics. Homogeneous catalysts for the processes that have low stability and their separation is difficult. Therefore, the development of new highly active and stable catalysts for hydrogenations and polymerizations is a necessity. The objective of this research was the development of a strategy for immobilization of heterogeneous metallocene catalysts. First, a methodology of immobilization of bis-indenyl ligands on the surface of mesoporous silica gel was designed. Four bis-indenyl ligands containing functionalized tethers of various lengths with terminal alkene groups were synthesized. All …

A Review On The Visible Light Active Titanium Dioxide Photocatalysts For Environmental Applications, Miguel Pelaez, Nicholas Nolan, Suresh Pillai, Michael Seery, Polycarpos Falaras, Athanassios G. Kontos, Patrick S.M. Dunlop, Jeremy W.J. Hamiltone, J. Anthony Byrne, Kevin O’Shea, Mohammad H. Entezari, Dionysios D. Dionysiou

Articles

Development of visible light active (VLA) titania photocatalysts

Fujishima and Honda (1972) demonstrated the potential of titanium dioxide (TiO 2) semiconductor mate-rials to split water into hydrogen and oxygen in a photo-electrochemical cell. Their work triggered the development of semiconductor photocatalysis for a wide range of environmental and energy applica-tions. One of the most significant scientific and commercial advances to date has been the development of visible light active (VLA) TiO2 photocatalytic materials. In this review, a background on TiO2 struc-ture, properties and electronic properties in photocatalysis is presented. The development of different strategies to modify TiO2 for the utilization …

Understanding The Thermodynamic Behavior Of Nanoparticles To Tailor Polymer Nancomposite Structure, Mary Catherine Mutz

Doctoral Dissertations

The work presented in this dissertation is an attempt to understand the entropic and enthalpic forces that govern the dispersion and dissolution of nanoparticles in solutions and in thin polymer films with the end-goal of producing highly tailored products.

In the first part, neutron reflectivity was used to study the impact of nanoparticle presence on the surface segregation of deuterated polystyrene (dPS) in a polystyrene matrix. The impact of the presence of cylinders (carbon nanotubes), sheets (graphene), and spheres (polystyrene soft nanoparticles) on the surface segregation process and ultimate structure were examined. Experimental data indicate that the presence of the …

Synthesis And Temperature-Induced Phase Transfer Behavior Of Thermosensitive Hairy Particles Between Aqueous Solution And A Hydrophobic Ionic Liquid, Jonathan Michael Horton

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation presents the synthesis of a family of thermosensitive polymer brush-grafted silica particles and the study of their thermally induced phase transfer behavior between water and a hydrophobic ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ([EMIM][TFSA]). The hairy particles were prepared by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization.

Chapter 1 describes the synthesis and phase transfer behavior of a series of 205 nm silica particles grafted with thermosensitive polymers of methoxyoligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylates. The hairy particles with sufficiently high lower critical solution temperatures underwent reversible and quantitative transfer between water and [EMIM][TFSA] in response to temperature changes. The transfer temperature (T_{tr …}

The Role Of Non-Bonding Interactions And Bonding Schemes In The Structure And Properties Of Multi-Component Polymer Systems, Caleb Will Dyer

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation addresses three aspects of multi-component polymer systems. Chapter 2 details work on understanding the effect of precise polymeric structure on the phase behavior of blends containing cellulose acetate chains with different levels of acetate substitution. The difference in degree substitution (Delta DS) between the two components in the blend is systematically changed from .06 to .63, where each blend is found to be partially miscible. The samples containing higher acetate content demonstrate decreased miscibility as Delta DS increases. The sample with the most hydroxyl groups, however, has greater miscibility than samples of similar Delta DS, but fewer hydroxyl …

The Effect Of Poss Modified Montmorillonite On Elastomer Nanocomposites, Elana Celeste Lewis

Master's Theses

The goal of this thesis was to define the structural factors that determine performance in clay/rubber nanocomposites when polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) is used as a dispersant. POSS has been shown previously to enhance clay, metal oxides, and carbon nanotube dispersion in thermoplastics matrices, but their performance in rubber systems has not yet been explored. There is little fundamental understanding of how POSS interacts with clay and how these modified fillers react with rubber matrices. This thesis aims to develop a greater understanding of the mechanisms of POSS-clay modification through the examination of two different POSS-clay systems and their effect …

Design, Synthesis, Processing, And Thermal Analysis Of Nanocomposites With Tunable Properties, Mu Seong Kim

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Polymer composites containing nanosized fillers have generated explosive interest since the early 1980's. Many recent studies have been conducted incorporating nano-fillers into polymer matrices to design and synthesize materials with tunable mechanical, thermal, and optical properties. Conventional filled polymers, where the reinforcement is on the order of microns, have been replaced by composites with discrete nanosized fillers. Gradually, theories that predicted that composite properties are independent of particle size in the micron range were challenged by nanocomposites. Rather, nanocomposite properties are greatly influenced by the surface area of the. All of this is complicated by the fact that nanoparticles are …

Solid State Chemical Reactions And Polymerizations: The Initial Synthesis Of Dna?, Otto Vogl, Frank T. Traceski

Otto Vogl

A Proposal for Covering individual Macromolecules with Macromolecules including a Realistic Chiral Synthesis of Nucleic Acids.

Development Of A Quantitative High Throughput Method For The Early Detection Of Corrosion On Coated Aluminum, Jeffrey Clayton Foster

Master's Theses

Eight fluorescent indicators were evaluated for their ability to detect the corrosion of aluminum metal substrates. The fluorophore Rhodamine-salicylaldehyde (RSA) was selected as a candidate for further study based on its ability to bind and detect aluminum ions at low concentrations, its selectivity for aluminum ions, its long-term stability, its solubility in our solvent-based epoxy formulation, and its compatibility with our testing method.

A recent publication suggested that an alternative method of fluorescence activation was possible—an acid-promoted ring opening that occurred in the absence of metal ions. To prove the capability of RSA to bind aluminum ions, thorough ¹H …

The Development Of Transparent, Processable, Thermally-Responsive Coatings, Christopher David Roland

Master's Theses

Polymer matrices are commonly used as guest-host systems for organic chromophores for use in non-linear optical materials. The chromophores must be aligned or poled in an electric field in order to impart anisotropy and non-linear activity to the material. This poling process raises several issues, the two largest being the eventual relaxation of the chromophores back into random orientations due to brownian motion, and high molecular weight polymer matrices limiting chromophore mobility during poling. The prevention of this relaxation process is an area of significant interest, especially in applications that require long term coating stability and activity. In this study, …

Active Response Of Polymer Materials From External Stimuli – Solvents And Light; Grafting Reactions On Perovskite Layers, Jianxia Zhang

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The active response of a series of polymeric materials was investigated. Both solvent activated and light activated thin films and wire systems show dynamic behaviors when exposed to different stimuli.

Solvent mediated fluxional behavior of polymer thin films involved extensive, rapid curling both on infusion and evaporation of good solvents. These films can be either lab-fabricated ones or commercial ones, and the curling behavior can be as fast as seconds. Conditions including polymer materials, chosen solvents, and film geometry can affect the behavior.

Methods that allowed for the creation and retention of distorted wire structures were also developed; the asymmetric …

Synthesis, Characterization And Self-Assembly Of Amphiphilic Block Copolymers, Xiaojun Wang

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation presents a review on state-of-the-art research of well-defined charged block copolymers, including synthesis, characterization, bulk morphology and self-assembly in aqueous solution of amphiphilic block polyelectrolytes. In Chapter 1, as a general introduction, experimental observations and theoretical calculations devoted towards understanding morphological behavior in charged block copolymer systems are reviewed along with some of the new emerging research directions. Further investigation of charged systems is urged in order to fully understand their morphological behavior and to directly target structures for the tremendous potential in technological applications. Following this background, in Chapters 2, 3, 4 and 5 are presented the …

Cross-Linked Pdms Expansion Due To Submersion In Liquid And Supercritical Co2, Teng Yang

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Characterization of micro/nano-copper particles impregnated Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) submersed in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) was studied. The purpose of this investigation was to advance micro-corrosion sensor technology utilizing PDMS and micro-metal particle composite as the sensing element currently under-development. One of the key challenges encountered was the removal of the native oxides inherently existing on the metal particles. Numerous techniques were experimented with to counter this problem at the UA Engineered Micro/Nano Systems Laboratory (EMNSL), with swell-based protocols being identified as the most promising solution. In terms of compatibility to Micro-electro-mechanical Systems (MEMS) fabrication, CO2 is often used in the release …

Hydro/Solvothermal Synthesis, Structures And Properties Of Metal-Organic Frameworks Based On S-Block Metals, Raj Kishore Vakiti

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Carbon dioxide removal from flue gases of power plants is critical for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions implicated in global warming. Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) promising potential applications in carbon dioxide capture due to their unique structural properties such as high porosity and high thermal stability. These MOFs have application in separation processes and gas storage. By the assembly of the organic ligands and metal oxide clusters, porous MOFs can be synthesized. The use of s-block metals such as calcium, magnesium and rubidium in porous materials is appealing because their ionic binding characters with organic ligands will general flexible MOFs. …

New Dual Initiators For Polyisobutylene-Based Block And Star Polymers, Yaling Zhu

Dissertations

Polyisobutylene (PIB), available solely by living carbocationic polymerization (LCP), is a commercially important polymer with excellent thermal stability, good flexibility and extraordinary impermeability to gases. Due to these attractive properties, coupling PIB to other polymer blocks is expected to result in new and useful products. Two types of new dual initiators possessing initiating sites for both LCP and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), have been designed for the preparation of AB linear and A2B miktoarm star copolymers, where A is PIB-based block copolymer that grows cationically and B is polyacrylate or other radically-derived polymer block, without intermediate modification.

Mono-cationic mono-radical …

Modern Approaches For Multifunctional Hydrolyzying Thiol-Ene Networks, Nicole Marie Mackey

Dissertations

Marine fouling has been an expensive and time-consuming process for navies and fishermen by the accumulation of marine algae and animals on artificial surfaces. Many coatings have been proposed to combat marine fouling in efforts to extend the lifetime of objects immersed in sea water. However, all coatings tested have either failed to resist fouling for a significant length of time or have released toxins into the environment. We have investigated an environmentally friendly approach to address the problem of marine fouling through the synthesis and preparation of a biocidal and a self-polishing coating. Both novel monomers were prepared containing …

Molecular Network Development Of A Thermosetting Epoxy-Amine Polymer, Christopher Michael Sahagun

Dissertations

i ABSTRACT MOLECULAR NETWORK DEVELOPMENT OF A THERMOSETTING EPOXY-AMINE POLYMER by Christopher Michael Sahagun May 2012 Epoxy-amine resins find wide application as the matrix material of high performance polymer composites due to their favorable mechanical properties, thermal properties and solvent stability. These properties are derived from the complicated, highly crosslinked molecular network that is characteristic of these thermoset polymers. The connectivity of the molecular network has a strong influence on the physical performance of the finished part. Non-homogeneity in the network structure can degrade these favorable properties through the introduction of low-energy pathways for solvent penetration or fracture propagation. This …

Surface, Bulk, And Rheological Properties Of Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane/High Density Polyethylene Nanocomposites, Robert Douglas Cook Jr.

Dissertations

In the formulation of high performance nanocomposites, control of miscibility and dispersion of filler material through a polymer matrix is of utmost importance. Due to their inorganic nature most nanofillers are insoluble in polymers, leading to costly/complicated surface modification as a primary means of increasing miscibility and interaction with organic matrices. Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) nanostructured chemicals offer an attractive alternative to conventional nanofillers. Due to their hybrid organic-inorganic nature, POSS has the potential to be tailored for miscibility in a wide range of organic matrices not by chemical surface modification but through modification of the molecular structure of the …

A Bisphenol-A-Based Resin System That Cures Via Triazole Ring Formation For Marine Composite Applications, Irene Elizabeth Gorman

Dissertations

Large composite panels, such as those utilized in marine applications, cannot be economically cured in an autoclave. For these structures the elevated temperatures necessary to achieve high crosslink density must come from the curing reaction itself. We are developing a resin system that cures via triazole ring formation (cycloaddition reaction of azides with terminal alkynes) instead of the traditional oxirane/amine reaction. The high exothermicity of the azido/alkyne reaction is expected to yield higher extents of reaction under ambient-cure conditions, making the resin system potentially suitable for "out-of-autoclave" curing processes. This work was conducted through a multi-tiered approach involving synthesis, kinetic …