Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Functionalization Of Metal Oxide Surfaces Through Chemical Reactions And Physical Adsorption, Gabriel C. Graffius

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The synthesis of high surface area metal oxides is an area of extensive research with potential applications in catalysis, adsorption, and materials chemistry. The functionalization of a material’s surface can dramatically change its physical and chemical properties. The research described herein is built on the foundation of traditional techniques used for synthesis, characterization, and functionalization of metal oxides and develops new mechanisms and materials for the functionalization of surfaces.

We began with Methyl-terminated poly(dimethylsiloxanes) (PDMSs), which are typically considered to be inert and not suitable for surface functionalization reactions because of the absence of readily hydrolysable groups. Nevertheless, these siloxanes …

Epoxy Siloxane Self-Cleaning Coating Using F64pczn/Tio2 Photocatalyst Composite, James F. Sullivan

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

A new photocatalytic composite powder incorporated into a siloxane epoxy polymer has been shown to yield a highly efficient self-cleaning coating. The composite, which makes greater use of light in the visible/near-infrared (NIR) region, was prepared by coating a nano-particle photocatalytic TiO₂ with 3% w/w of F₆₄PcZn photosensitizer resulting in a dark green powder. The F₆₄PcZn/P25 TiO₂ composite exhibited a greater photo-induced degradation of methyl red, a model surface contaminant, compared to traditional nano-particle photocatalytic TiO₂. Singlet oxygen (¹Δ_g ¹O₂), generated form the F₆₄PcZn, …

From Dye Sensitized Solar Cells To Organic Field Effect Transistors: A Computational Investigation Into The Structural And Electronic Properties Of Novel Phthalocyanines, Patrick J. Dwyer

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Phthalocyanines (Pc) have gained intense research attention in many diverse application areas due to their highly tunable electronic and structural properties through modification of the molecular periphery and metal center. Throughout this work a series of novel perfluoro-isopropyl substituted MPc have been investigated through theoretical methods. First, the synthetic mechanisms of these Pcs will be explored to gain insight into the experimentally observed Pc product distribution. By examining the electronic structure and formation energies of the various Pc precursors, we explain the product distribution as well as propose the formation of additional Pcs, which were not currently believed to form. …