Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Design And Synthesis Of Dynamic Covalent Polymer Scaffolds With Controlled Architectures, Emily Annette Hoff

Dissertations

The design and synthesis of functional, controlled polymer architectures is essential to the development of new materials with precise and tailorable properties or applications. The work described in this dissertation focuses on the development of controlled polymer architectures with dynamic linkages for the design of multifunctional materials and surfaces via robust, efficient, and stimuli-responsive strategies.

In Chapter III, a post-polymerization modification strategy based on ambient temperature nucleophilic chemical deblocking of polymer scaffolds bearing N-heterocycle blocked isocyanate moieties is reported. Room temperature RAFT polymerization of three azole-N-carboxamide methacrylates, including 3,5-dimethyl pyrazole, imidazole, and 1,2,4-triazole derivatives, afforded reactive polymer scaffolds …

Correlation Of Polymer Performance And Hansen Solubility Parameters, Daniel Jobse Mania

Master's Theses

Ready-to-use (RTU) grout is becoming more important to the finish and remodeling construction industry. Market research shows it is a fast-growing product that not only is creating its own space, but is beginning to supplant existing technology.

The original intent of this research was to investigate formulation parameters and how they affect grout performance. It was learned that particle size and oil absorption (OA) value are important filler properties that affect performance as much as adequate packing density and optimal pigment volume concentration (PVC) without going beyond critical PVC (CPVC).

Polymer architecture was also determined to be extremely important, but …

The Synthesis Of Chemosensors For Toxic Analytes, Johnathan Hugh Broome

Dissertations

A number of chemosensors have been designed and synthesized to target cations (Zn²⁺ions), neutral molecules (cathinones), charged molecules (aminoindanes), and anions. The Zn²⁺ ion sensor featured bistriazole designed binding unit and ferrocene signaling units. Characterization of Zn²⁺ ion binding was carried out with electrochemical techniques (CV and DPV), ¹H-NMR, mass spectrometry, and molecular modelling. It exhibited a 1:1 binding stoichiometry with Zn²⁺ and had an affinity for ZnCl₂ (Log K_1:1 = 4.1 ± 0.02) over other Zn²⁺ salts.

The cathinone probe was designed to selectively bind mephedrone over common street drugs …

Synthesis And Application Of (R)-3-Methylpyrrolidine-3-Carboylic Acid, Shelby D. Dickerson

Honors Theses

L-Proline is an amino acid widely used in pharmaceutical and biotechnological research due to its catalytic activity and biological relevance. L-Proline has been recognized and utilized as an organocatalyst, which allows cleaner, more sustainable reactions. However, one issue with L-proline is its low solubility in organic systems, limiting its reactivity and efficiency, especially when considering industrial research. Two reactions that utilize L-Proline are the Michael and Aldol but require 100 mol% of L-Proline and 30 mol% of L-Proline, respectively. This research will focus on the synthesis of an analogue of L-Proline utilizing inexpensive, commercially available reagents. A variety of organic …

Investigation Of How Hydrogen Bonding Affects The Enantiomeric Excess Of Pig Liver Esterase Promoted Hydrolysis Of Pro-Chiral Substrates, Jacob E. Pruett

Honors Theses

Pig Liver Esterase is a cost effective enzyme for ester hydrolysis. In our group, it is vital for creating chiral molecules for the synthesis of unnatural amino acids of potential biological importance. It has been previously found that the enantiomeric excess (%ee) of the PLE hydrolysis reaction increases drastically with the addition of co-solvents that are able to both accept and donate hydrogen bonds. This research endeavors to see if substrates of enhanced hydrogen bonding ability also increase the stereoselectivity of PLE hydrolyses. Diester malonate was covalently linked with a furan ring in both the third and second position from …

Synthesis And Characterization Of "Click Inspired" Thiol-Ene-Fullerene Nanocomposites, Amber Danielle Windham

Dissertations

This work explores the covalent incorporation of C₆₀ and Sc₃N@C₈₀ fullerenes into thiol-ene networks by a facile, one-pot photochemical reaction with multifunctional thiol and alkene monomers. Synthesis of disulfide bonds within the tri-functional thiol monomer served to photochemically initiate the reaction when cleaved. This was followed by thermal curing of the pre-polymer for preparation of fullerene-containing thiol-ene films. Films were characterized by standard techniques including infrared spectroscopy, gel percent, and thermogravimetric analysis. The role of C₆₀ and Sc₃N@C₈₀ as suitable alkenes for free-radical reaction with multifunctional thiols was investigated by preparing a …

Curing Of Polymer Thermosets Via Click Reactions, Mark Richard Brei

Dissertations

In the first project, an azide functional resin and tetra propargyl aromatic diamines were fabricated for use as a composite matrix. These systems take already established epoxy/amine matrices and functionalize them with click moieties. This allows lower temperatures to be used in the production of a thermoset part. These new systems yield many better mechanical properties than their epoxy/amine derivatives, but their T_gs are low in comparison.

The second project investigates the characterization of a linear system based off of the above azide functional resin and a difunctional alkyne. Through selectively choosing catalyst the linear system can show …