Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Nmr Characterizations Of Candidate Battery Electrolytes, Stephen A. Munoz

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Enormous strides have been made in next-generation power sources to build a more sustainable society. Energy storage has become a limiting factor in our progress, and there are huge environmental and financial incentives to find the next step forward in battery technology. This work discusses NMR methods for characterizing materials for use in battery application, with a special focus on relaxometry and diffusometry. Examples are provided of various recent investigations involving novel candidate electrolyte materials with different collaborators. Works discussed in this thesis include: the characterization of a new disruptive solid polymer electrolyte technology, investigations of the dynamics of super …

High Resolution Imaging Of Single Nanoparticles And Two-Dimensional Nano-Material By Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy, Tong Sun

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Electrochemistry at nanostructured interfaces is of significant current interest. Metal nanoparticles (NPs) and two-dimensional semiconductor nanomaterial are particularly important because of their applications in catalysis, energy conversion and storage, sensors, and medicine. Electrocatalytic processes at such nanostructured interfaces are essential for the generation of hydrogen and other types of fuels and photochemical energy conversion. Nanoscale electrochemical experiments require the fabrication and characterization of nanometer-size electrochemical probes. The main advantages of the nanoprobes include very fast mass-transfer rate, high signal-to-noise ratio and extremely fine spatial resolution of electrochemical imaging. During my Ph.D. research, nanoscale disk-type platinum electrochemical probes were developed for …

Iron Oxide Nanomagnets In Polymer Matrices – Synthesis And Characterization, Shenjie Qiu

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Magneto-responsive polymer-iron oxide materials have been fabricated by coating various polymers on iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs). The stability of magneto-responsive polymer-iron oxide materials relies on the selection of appropriate coating anchors, such as catechols and silanes. This dissertation describes two robust polymer coating systems on iron oxide NPs. One system focuses on thermo-responsive nitrated catechol-N-isopropylacrylamide polymers with binding enhancement factors (EnF) of ~40 and ~20 towards iron oxide NPs and a boronic acid compared to the polymers without the nitro group. The second system involves coating of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) on iron oxide NPs via a silane anchor …

Characterization And Quantification Of Covalent Modification Of Proteins Using Mass Spectrometry, Pratikkumar N. Rathod

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Identification and characterization of various post-translational modifications of protein is a key to understanding many unknown cellular processes. In the last few decades, mass spectrometry has evolved as an essential and effective analytical tool for qualitative and quantitative analysis of proteins. In this research, we have developed a novel MALDI-MS² based quantification method for Desmosine and Isodesmosine, which served as cross-linking amino acids of elastin, in order to measure the elastin degradation in the body. This is the first quantification method that not only illustrates the potential of MALDI-Ion Trap MS², but also improvement over the current …

The Development Of Novel Platforms For The Imaging Of Cancer By Positron Emission Tomography, Brendon E. Cook

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The role of antibody-based imaging of cancer by positron emission tomography (PET) has expanded significantly in recent years and is poised to radically alter the way that cancer is diagnosed and treated. However, one hurdle that remains is the potentially harmful radiation dose that comes from these imaging agents, as the long circulation time of antibodies (days to weeks) necessitates the use of radionuclides with comparable physical half-lives (i.e. ⁸⁹Zr, ¹²⁴I, etc.). One particularly promising solution is the use of the inverse electron demand Diels-Alder (IEDDA) reaction between a 1,2,4,5-tetrazine (Tz) and a trans-cyclooctene (TCO) for pretargeting. …

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Studies Of Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids And Garnet-Type Li7la3zr2o12, Shen Lai

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Advancements in electrochemical energy storage materials are critical in the development and utilization of renewable energy technologies. These advancements involve obtaining a better understanding of electrochemical mechanisms and properties through scientific research towards an improved energy storage technology. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), is a sensitive and selective method to probe particle dynamics (magnetic relaxation, diffusometry, etc.) and material structures (spectroscopy) down to the atomic level. In this work, several NMR techniques are employed to study imidazolium-based ionic liquids and garnet-type inorganic materials. These are being studied due to their potential use as safer alternatives to organic solvent-based electrolytes in lithium-ion …

A Stereospecific Pd-Catalyzed Suzuki Cross-Coupling Reaction And A Statistical Study Of The Ligand's Role In Stereoselection, Shibin Zhao

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The development of palladium-catalyzed carbon-carbon cross-coupling reactions has profoundly influenced the manner through which we approach the synthesis of complex organic molecules. Among established cross-coupling reactions, which include Kumada, Negishi, and Stille reactions, the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction exhibits particularly wide functional group compatibility, while employing non-toxic, air-stable organoboron nucleophiles. Conventional studies of Pd-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling reactions have focused on C(sp²)-C(sp²) cross-coupling reactions, which result in the formation of planar products. Conceptually, the use of C(sp³) (secondary) nucleophiles would enable the reliable manipulation of organic molecules in three dimensions. However, this process has not been …

Flexible And Versatile Soft Templates For Mesoporous Silicas And Organosilicas Based On Pluronic Block Copolymer Surfactants And Their Mixtures, George Farid

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

In this dissertation, the work will be discussed that was focused on the synthesis of consolidated periodic mesoporous materials such as 2-D hexgonal ordered mesoporous silicas (SBA-15) as well as single-micelle-templated silica and organosilica nanotubes and nanospheres using triblock copolymer surfactants and their mixtures in the presence of a swelling agent. The introductory section, Chapter 1, will address the current state of the tunability of single-micelle-templated silica and organosilica nanotubes and will compare it with the work presented in this dissertation on the use of a dual-surfactant templating systems. Chapter 2 of the dissertation discusses transmission electron microscopy characterization of …

Synthesis And Evaluation Of Densely-Functionalized Troponoids, Danielle R. Hirsch

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Herein, we document our efforts to expand the scope of troponoid synthetic methodology towards densely-substituted scaffolds. This body of work has focused primarily on an oxidopyrylium cycloaddition/ring-opening strategy for the synthesis and biochemical evaluation of troponoids for assistance in a variety of medicinal chemistry studies. In Chapter 1, we outline the use of this synthetic strategy in the profiling of a library of synthetic αHTs against an aminoglycoside antibiotic resistance enzyme known as aminoglycoside-2’’-O-nucleotidyltransferase [ANT(2’’)-Ia]. Enzymatic mechanistic insights have been gleaned from an assessment of troponoid/antibiotic synergistic potential. In particular, two synthetic constructs were identified as promising antibiotic adjuvant candidates, …

Fundamental Chemistry Related To The Separations And Coordination Of Actinium-225, Thorium-227, And Technetium-99, Jasmine L. Hatcher

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This work explores the fundamental chemistry of actinium, thorium, and technetium in an effort to develop methodologies which help to address complications specific to each of these elements. Developing fundamental knowledge in inorganic chemistry has the power to meaningfully address a number of real world problems. By using simple systems and experiments like following an electron or changing the solvent system, we are able to gain invaluable information which can be used to address major issues.

Actinium-225 (t_½: 9.92 d) is an alpha-emitting radionuclide with nuclear properties well suited for alpha therapy of malignant tumors. The present global …

Singlet Oxygen Oxidation Of Guanine, 9-Methylguanine And Guanine-Cytosine Base Pair: Dynamics And Kinetics Revealed By Parallel Gas- And Solution-Phase Experiments And Computations, Wenchao Lu

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Singlet oxygen (¹O₂) oxidatively generated damage of DNA gives rise to mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, and cellular death. Guanine is the most susceptible DNA target of ¹O₂. The related process has been studied over three decades but the mechanism has remained elusive. My thesis research has focused on reaction mechanism, dynamics and kinetics of ¹O₂ oxidation of guanine, 9-methylguanine and guanine-cytosine base pair, from the gas-phase bare ions, through hydrated clusters, to aqueous solution. Various techniques have been adapted in the work, including ¹O₂ generation and detection, guided-ion beam tandem mass …

Parp Pet Imaging Agents, Brandon Carney

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The poly (adenosine-diphosphate (ADP) ribose) polymerase (PARP) family of enzymes has been of interest to researchers and clinicians for over fifty years, especially the first member of the family, PARP1. This enzyme has become a target for cancer therapeutics due the reliance of highly proliferating cells on PARP1 for genomic maintenance. In the coming age of individualized medicine, however, highly specific therapeutic agents like PARP inhibitors are in need of similarly highly specific companion diagnostic agents. These kind of agents have been made possible with the quickly progressing field of molecular imaging. Specifically, positron emission tomography (PET) has enabled the …

Nanoporous Carbon-Based Co2 Reduction Catalysts: Exploring The Combined Effects Of Surface Chemistry And Porosity, Wanlu Li

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

For the first-time sulfur-doped, nitrogen-doped and sulfur, nitrogen-codoped nanoporous carbons were systematically studied as catalysts for CO₂ electrochemical reduction reaction (CO₂ERR). The Faradaic efficiencies (FE) of CO and CH₄ formation were calculated to evaluate the performance of these carbons. The best catalysts showed the FE of CO and CH₄ formation of 29% and 0.76%, respectively. It was found that the overall performance in CO₂ERR dramatically increased upon the reduction pretreatment of the carbons in N₂-saturated electrolyte before the CO₂ reduction process. The pretreated carbon showed the maximum FE of CO …

Investigation Of Novel Electrolytes For Use In Lithium-Ion Batteries And Direct Methanol Fuel Cells, Kartik Pilar

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Energy storage and conversion plays a critical role in the efficient use of available energy and is crucial for the utilization of renewable energy sources. To achieve maximum efficiency of renewable energy sources, improvements to energy storage materials must be developed. In this work, novel electrolytes for secondary batteries and fuel cells have been studied using nuclear magnetic resonance and high pressure x-ray scattering techniques to form a better understanding of dynamic and structural properties of these materials. Ionic liquids have been studied due to their potential as a safer alternative to organic solvent-based electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries and composite …

Discovery And Development Of A Three-Component Oxidopyrylium Cycloaddition And Its Application Towards Alpha-Hydroxytropolone Synthesis, Michael P. D'Erasmo

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Historically, natural products have provided unique research opportunities and challenges for organic synthesis, chemical biology, and medicinal chemistry due to their molecular complexity and effects on physiological systems. The total synthesis of natural products has not only produced novel reaction methods and strategies capable of efficiently generating complex structural motifs but also granted access to sufficient quantities of otherwise scarce natural product material for clinical evaluation. These synthetic efforts have facilitated the formation of a transdisciplinary partnership between chemistry, biology, and medicine that has been paramount in elucidating the chemical and pharmaceutical utility of natural products. Chapter I of this …

Development Of Nanomaterials: Complex Mesoporous Silicas And Highly Functional Multi-Responsive Hybrid Nanogels, Jinhui Yi

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The research work in this dissertation describes the study of the applications of polymers in several important areas. Two synthesis methods for bicontinuous cubic KIT6 silicas with block copolymer Pluronic P123 as templates were developed, expanding the range of available pore size and enchancing mesopore volume. In addition, two types of drug delivery systems were developed based on polymer nanoparticles.

In Chapter 2, it was shown that the addition of a suitable swelling agent at temperatures somewhat lower than those typically used in the syntheses of silicas with cubic Ia3d structure (19−25 °C vs 30−35 °C) allows one to induce …

The Therapeutic Potential Of Natural Products From Vaccinium Berries For Viral And Lung Diseases Through An Improved Lc-Ms-Based Chemometric Approach, Vanya I. Petrova

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Smoking is a global epidemic that creates serious health and economic burden. It is the primary, preventative factor for the majority of causes of death worldwide. Analysis of publicly available data revealed that smoking prevalence rates among the youth in developing countries, especially in Bulgaria, are alarmingly high. The Bulgarian population has one of the highest percentages of smokers and the second highest rate among teenage girls. Consequently, chronic diseases affected by smoking, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), have been increasing there in the last five years. Poland, on the other hand, is an exemplary outlier for the …

Organic Photochemistry: Remote Delivery Of Reactive Oxygen Intermediates Via A Heterogeneous Approach, Niluksha Walalawela Abeykoon

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Photosensitized oxidation reactions produce a number of intermediates species, which are generated in varying amounts over time. This complexity presents major challenges in the study of oxidation processes. Mechanistic efforts to separate and deliver reactive oxygen intermediates enable their controlled use in processes such as bacterial inactivation. This thesis describes a heterogeneous reaction approach taken to control the generation and delivery of reactive oxygen intermediates. The mechanistic details of photosensitized reactions were elucidated via synthetic, materials, and physical organic techniques to optimize the delivery of reactive oxygen intermediates. This thesis contains six chapters as described below.

Chapter 1 gives a …