Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Nanoparticles And Polymer Crystallization Kinetics In Hybrid Electronic Devices, Taylor William Wagner

Master's Theses

Conjugated semi-conducting polymers have become well known for their potential applications in hybrid electronic devices like solar cells, LEDs, and organic displays. These hybrid devices also contain inorganic nanoparticles, which complement the polymer when they are combined into the same layer. Control over the conformation and crystallinity of the polymer is critical for device performance, yet not much is known about the effect that these nanoparticles have on the polymer. Here, zinc oxide nanowire was surface modified with mono-substituted-carboxylic acid tetraphenylporphyrin and dodecanethiol, and introduced to poly(3-hexyl thiophene) in solution. The electron transfer, kinetics, and thermodynamics of this system were …

Hindered Rotation Of Dihydrogen On Synthesized Metal Oxides, George Houston Rouvelas

Masters Theses

A MATLAB program was written to calculate the hindered rotational energies of the hydrogen and deuterium molecules interacting with an anisotropic potential, which may be thought of as a potential energy surface of a metal oxide substrate. It was found that an increase in the hindering potential of the rotation about the azimuthal angle lifted the degeneracy of the j = 1,mj [magnetic quantum number] = plus or minus 1 states. A better understanding of how the rotational states of these systems change as a function of the hindering potential can help to explain features in rotational inelastic neutron scattering …

Exploration Of Aqueous Interfaces And Their Effect On Ion Behavior, Oneka T. Cummings

Doctoral Dissertations

An in-depth understanding of a wide range of physical, chemical, atmospheric and biological processes can only be achieved after the structure and dynamics of interfaces and the interfacial behavior of aqueous species, such as ions, are thoroughly studied and understood. This dissertation describes computational studies conducted to gain a more comprehensive understanding of such interfaces and the behavior of ions in the bulk and interfacial regions of the (1) air/water interface, and (2) alkane/water interfaces.

At the air/water interface the effect of counterion (sodium cations) charge and the influence of ion pairing on anion (chloride) propensity for the air/water interface …

Synthesis And Immunological Evaluation Of Type I, Type Ii, And Gamma Delta Nkt Cell Antigens, Brian L. Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the immune system is to protect our bodies from infection. One way it accomplishes this task is through the presentation of foreign pathogens to NKT cells. After an antigen is presented to the T cell receptor, activated NKT cells quickly release soluble chemical signals, termed chemokines and cytokines, that modulate the response of the immune system. Due to the immunological relevance of NKT cell activation, we developed and synthesised non-natural analogs of immunostimulatory type I, II, and gamma delta NKT cell antigens. The immunological evaluations of these analogs resulted in identification of sulfatide as a gamma delta …

Improving Student Learning Of Organic Chemistry By The Use Of Case Comparisons., Divine-Favour Ekene Anene

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Use Of Self-Assembled Monolayers To Tailor Surface Properties: From Lubrication To Neuronal Development, Natalie Ann Lafranzo

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

The subsequent work describes advances in modifying the chemical properties of various substrates to tailor the surface properties for specific applications. This is achieved by making use of a molecular assembly known as self-assembled monolayers, or SAMs. SAMs are composed of tightly packed organic molecules that form a well-ordered structure on a substrate. Typically, the head group of the monomer is covalently anchored to the substrate, and monolayer order and self-assembly is achieved through van der Waals interactions between the long alkyl chains of the monomer's tail group. Monolayers containing head groups consisting of thiols, siloxanes, and phosphonates have been …

Development Of Quantitative Bioanalytical Methods For The Pharmacological Studies Of Anti-Cancer Drugs, Ye Feng

ETD Archive

In the anticancer drug discovery and therapy development, it is essential to understand the pharmacological properties of the drugs. Today, pharmaceutical analysis is employed throughout the whole drug discovery and development process. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships are playing an increasingly important role in decisions on the rational development and use of new drugs and they can provide a detailed knowledge of the mechanism of the drug and a better understanding of the molecular targets on which they act. Due to the significance of pharmacological analysis, sensitive analytical methods are critically needed for pharmacological studies. Therefore, our long-term goal is to provide guidelines …

Optimization Of Gradient Chromatofocusing For The Protein Separation And Lc-Ms/Ms Determination Of Ngp1-01 In Mouse Serum, Brain, And Retina, Harini Jogiraju

ETD Archive

No abstract provided.

Gradient Chromatofocusing And Reversed Phase Hplc In Protein Analysis And Lc-Ms/Ms Determination Of Thiazolidinedione Nl-1 In Mouse Serum And Brain, Kiran K. Pedada

ETD Archive

No abstract provided.

Development Of Lc-Ms/Ms Methods For Quantitative Analysis Of Plant-Derived Anticancer Agent And Synthetic Estrogen In Complex Matrices, Simuli Lindah Wabuyele

ETD Archive

No abstract provided.

Surface Studies Of Organic Thin Films Using Scanning Probe Microscopy And Nanofabrication, Venetia Denae Lyles

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Porphyrins and metalloporphyrins have unique chemical and electronic properties and thus provide useful model structures for nanoscale studies of the role of chemical structure for electronic properties. Porphyrins have been proposed as viable materials for molecular-based information-storage devices, gas sensors, photovoltaic cells, organic light-emitting diodes and molecular wires. The function and efficiency of porphyrins in devices is largely attributable to molecular architecture and how the molecules are self-organized. Modifications of the porphyrin macrocycle, peripheral groups or bound metal ions can generate a range of electrical, photoelectrical or magnetic properties. The conductive properties are greatly influenced at the molecular level by …

Investigations Of The Non-Covalent Ch-Π Interactions Using Molecular Torsional Balances, Chen Zhao

Theses and Dissertations

Several bicycle N-arylimide based molecular balances were designed to study aliphatic CH-pi interactions and aromatic CH-pi interactions (edge-to-face arene-arene interactions). In each case, the geometries of the interactions were characterized in the solid-state via X-ray analysis, and the strengths of interactions were characterized in solution by their folded/unfolded ratios, as measured by integration of their 1H NMR spectra.

The balances are very sensitive to variations in the strengths of weak non-covalent interactions. Several different aspects of the CH-pi interactions were studied, such as sterics, conformational entropy, cooperativity, deuterium isotope effect, substitution effects, and solvent effects. It showed that due to …

New Ruthenium And Osmium Carbonyl Cluster Complexes With Main Group Bridging Ligands Having Unusual Structures And Bonding, Yuwei Kan

Theses and Dissertations

The reaction of IrRu3(CO)13(µ-H), 2.1 with HSnPh3 in hexane solvent at reflux has provided the new mixed metal cluster compounds Ir2Ru2(CO)11(SnPh3)(µ-H)3, 2.2 and IrRu3(CO)11(SnPh3)3(µ-H)¬4, 2.3 containing SnPh3 ligands. Compound 2.2 which was obtained in low yield (3%) contains a closed cluster having two iridium and two ruthenium atoms, one SnPh3 ligand and three bridging hydride ligands. Compound 2.3 has a butterfly structure for the four metal atoms with three SnPh3 ligands and four bridging hydride ligands around the periphery of the cluster. When compound 2.3 was heated to 97 oC for 30min, IrRu3(CO)9(μ-η2-C6H5)(μ4-SnPh)2(μ-SnPh2), 2.4 was formed by cleavage of phenyl …

Programmable Polymers Preparation Optimization And Applications On Solute Templates, Yinyan He

Theses and Dissertations

Programmable polymer is a type of stimuli-responsive polymer which can keep their induced properties after removal of the stimulu, as well as programmable polymers maintain the general properties as stimuli-responsive polymers, such as recognize and respond to the stimulus. The previous reported solvent Caryl-Nimide bonds based programmable polymers (SPP-1) can freely rotate and change the carboxylic acid recognition group orientation in response to templates. Solvent templates were used in the SPP-1. One potential application for SPPs is using their recognition and memory properties for the identification and separation of mixture solutions of various analytes. In my first project, I wanted …

Raman Spectroscopy For The Identification Of Body Fluid Traces : Mixtures And Contaminations, Race And Gender Differentation, Aliaksandra Sikirzhytskaya

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Body fluid traces are an important type of forensic evidence, which play a significant role in the reconstruction of a violent crime and often help to identify a victim or suspect based on DNA analysis. Despite a great need, there is no a single method, which could identify multiple body fluids. In addition, majority of current methods are destructive for the evidence. For about eight years, our laboratory has been working on the development of a new nondestructive method for identification of body fluid traces based on Raman microspectroscopy combined with advanced statistics. High differentiation power of the method has …

Raman Spectroscopic Analysis Of Body Fluids : Species Differentiation And The Effect Of Substrate Interference And Laser Power, Gregory Keith Mclaughlin

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Several recent discoveries demonstrate that Raman spectroscopy has a unique capability to characterize body fluid traces in a forensic capacity. This approach has thus garnered interest in the forensic community since 2008, when a proof of concept experiment established that blood, semen, vaginal fluid, sweat and saliva are easily differentiable through their Raman spectra. Several possible methods of identification have been described in the literature, one approach uses chemometrical models, and another applies recently formulated multidimensional Raman signatures. The analytical sampling method and the identification procedure provide several desirable traits for the field of forensic science. In particular, Raman spectroscopy …

The Effects Of Implementing The Cooperative Learning Structure, Numbered Heads Together, In Chemistry Classes At A Rural, Low Performing High School, Daniel Paul Baker

LSU Master's Theses

Due to the positive academic results in numerous studies on cooperative learning and the need and desire to improve academic results in East Feliciana High School Chemistry classes, the implementation of a cooperative learning structure called “numbered heads together” was studied during the spring 2013 semester at this rural, low performing high school. Numbered heads together was utilized during three units of a Chemistry class with 24 students and three units of an AP Chemistry with 11 students after completion of two units taught without the use of any type of cooperative learning structure. Using pre- and post-tests, learning gain …

The Enhancement Of Peroxide-Cured Fluoroelastomer Rubber To Metal Bonding, Richard Hunter Cooke Iii

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

A "combi-cured&" fluoroelastomer (FKM) rubber formulation was designed to yield 100% cohesive rubber failure when cured to cold-rolled steel with derivatives of polymeric silane adhesives. Three different categories of adhesives were tested: Unsaturated Polymeric Silane with Phosphonium Salt (UPSP-D), Unsaturated Polymeric Silane (UPS-L), and Saturated Polymeric Silane (SPS-L). Adhesion Inserts molded using ASTM Method D429 Method C all consistently yielded 100% cohesive rubber failure and showed adhesion strength in the range of 700 to 800 psi after being pulled at 2" per minute until break. After obtaining consistent 100% rubber failure, a design of experiment (DOE) was implemented to determine …

Cyclic Voltammetric And Square Wave Anodic Stripping Voltammetric Analysis Of Lead And Cadmium Utilizing The Novel Titanium Dioxide/ Zirconium Dioxide/ Tween 80 Carbon Paste Composite Electrode, Phuong Khanh Quoc Nguyen

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Heavy metals, particularly Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd), had been long identified as hazardous pollutants in the environment. Joining the continuous effort to alleviate this dilemma, a new electro-chemical sensor has been developed to assess the level of Pb and Cd in aqueous environment. The current work describes the utilization of two different electro-analytical techniques, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV), in conjunction with the novel Titanium Dioxide/ Zirconium Dioxide/ Tween 80 (TiO2/ ZrO2/ Tween 80) carbon paste composite electrode to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze Pb and Cd. In this dissertation, along with a comprehensive literature …

Libraries From Libraries Approach To The Synthesis Of Arylidene Oxindoles, Kyle James Knisley

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

A libraries from libraries combinatorial chemistry approach was employed to synthesize fluorinated derivatives of both oxindoles and isatins as potential pharmaceuticals or targeting agents for imaging purposes related to cancer or Alzheimer's disease. Synthesis for these fluorinated derivatives are described by routes involving, either: a) N-alkylation of 5-substituted isatins followed by Wolff-Kishner reduction to the corresponding oxindoles and final Knoevenagel condensation with aryl aldehydes, or; b) Wolff-Kishner reduction of the isatins followed by condensation and finishing with the N-alkylation of the aldol products. In specific cases, a click reaction followed the N-alkylation of the aldol products to form the isatin …

The Use Of Classroom Demonstrations To Improve High School Students' Ability To Understand Concepts In Chemistry, Jessica Langlois Shelton

LSU Master's Theses

This study was completed to determine if implementing demonstrations in specific chapters of a high school chemistry classroom would enhance students understanding of the topics the demonstrations represented. The study consisted of five sections of college preparatory high school chemistry. The sections were made up of both male and female students. The sections were randomly broken up into two groups. Each group acted as the experimental and control at different points in the study. Four chapters were used in the study. Each group represented the control group in two chapters and the experimental group in two chapters, flip flopping with …