Materials Chemistry Commons^™

Synthesis Of Multifunctional Polyacrylates And A Binding Group To Hemoglobin For The Treatment Of Traumatic Brain Injuries, Marina Michaud

Honors College Theses

Hemoglobin based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) hold promise as an effective emergency treatment of severe traumatic brain injuries (TBI). In the latest generation of HBOCs, polynitroxyl-pegylated hemoglobin (PNPH), cell-free hemoglobin is modified with TEMPO and PEG which reduce the toxicities associated with earlier generations of HBOCs. In our efforts to optimize the economic and therapeutic impacts of PNPH’s we have synthesized polydimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (poly-DMAEMA) under controlled living conditions via reverse addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The poly-DMAEMA was then successfully functionalized via quaternization of its NMe₂ groups using chloroacetate derivatives of the TEMPO and PEG. This process was quantitative and …

Charge Transfer At The Liquid/Solid Interface To Affect Nanostructure Formation, Kurt W. Kolasinski

Chemistry Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Development Of Diverse Size And Shape Rna Nanoparticles And Investigation Of Their Physicochemical Properties For Optimized Drug Delivery, Daniel L. Jasinski

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

RNA nanotechnology is an emerging field that holds great promise for advancing drug delivery and materials science. Recently, RNA nanoparticles have seen increased use as an in vivo delivery system. RNA was once thought to have little potential for in vivo use due to biological and thermodynamic stability issues. However, these issues have been solved by: (1) Finding of a thermodynamically stable three-way junction (3WJ) motif; (2) Chemical modifications to RNA confer enzymatic stability in vivo; and (3) the finding that RNA nanoparticles exhibit low immunogenicity in vivo.

In vivo biodistribution and pharmacokinetics are affected by the physicochemical …

A Fast Linear Electro-Optical Effect In A Non-Chiral Bent-Core Liquid Crystal, Yuri Panarin, S.P. Sreenilayam, J.K. Vij, A. Lehmann, C. Tschierske

Articles

We report the observation of an electro-optical effect for a linear rotation of the optical axis as function of the electric field in an achiral tilted bent-core liquid crystalline compound, in which 4-cyanoresorcinol bisbenzoate core is symmetrically terminated by long linear alkyl chains (n =16) on both ends. The linear electro-optic effect observed in this material is similar to the deformed helical ferroelectric liquid crystal (DHFLC) effect reported previously in a FLC material except that dimensions of the helical pitch differ by two orders of magnitude. In the chiral systems, the helical pitch usually lies on the scale of sub-optical …

Efficient Integration Of Plasmonic And Excitonic Properties Of Metal And Semiconductor Nanostructures Via Sol-Gel Assembly, Dilhara Liyanage

Theses and Dissertations

Research in nanoscience has gained noteworthy interest over the past three decades. As novel chemical and physical properties that are vastly different from extended solids are realized in nanosized materials, nanotechnology has become the center of attention for material in research community. Much to our amazement, investigations in the past two decades revealed that the nanocrystalline semiconductors are “THE PRIME CANDIDATES” to meet the growing energy demand, sensor development, cellular imaging and a number of other optoelectronic applications. Nonetheless, synthesis of nanostructures with control over physical parameters is not sufficient, yet assembling them into functional nanoarchitectures with unique and tunable …

Criegee Intermediate-Hydrogen Sulfide Chemistry At The Air/Water Interface, Manoj Kumar, Jie Zhong, Joseph S. Francisco, Xiao Cheng Zeng

Xiao Cheng Zeng Publications

We carry out Born–Oppenheimer molecular dynamic simulations to show that the reaction between the smallest Criegee intermediate, CH₂OO, and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) at the air/water interface can be observed within few picoseconds. The reaction follows both concerted and stepwise mechanisms with former being the dominant reaction pathway. The concerted reaction proceeds with or without the involvement of one or two nearby water molecules. An important implication of the simulation results is that the Criegee-H₂S reaction can provide a novel non-photochemical pathway for the formation of a C–S linkage in clouds and could be a …

Α-Eleostearic Acid Extraction By Saponification Of Tung Oil And Its Subsequent Polymerization, Amanda Murawski

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The goal of environmentally sound research is to provide alternatives that are more sustainable and renewable, such as vegetable oil-based polymers, than the current petroleum-based products. Vegetable oil-based polymers have received a lot of attention recently due their multifaceted properties, which are simply achieved by adjusting the monomer or resin composition. The carbon-carbon double bonds in unsaturated oils are ideal reactive sites for the free radical or cationic polymerizations. Most vegetable oils must be modified before polymerization due to the low reactivity of their non-conjugated fatty acid chains. Tung oil (TO) contains ~83% of a triply conjugated fatty acid ( …

Exploring The Effects Of Different Classroom Environments On The Learning Process. Synthesis Of Thiazole-Linked Porous Organic Polymers For Co2 Separation And Nitro-Aromatics Sensing., Davide D'Urbino

Theses and Dissertations

When attempting to study the learning process of undergraduate chemistry student, the classroom and any interaction that take place within it constitute the social context of interest. By studying how different approaches can foster different classroom environments, it is possible to approach course design from an informed and scientifically sound perspective. Thus, it becomes necessary to identify and quantify the factors that have a positive or negative effect on the classroom environment. Social comparison concerns, comfort levels and self-efficacy have been shown to be social factors that affect each other as well as the learning process and have therefore been …

Investigations Into Structure And Properties Of Atomically-Precise Transition Metal-Chalcogenide Clusters Of Crte And Ligated Cr6te8(Pet3)6, Anthony F. Pedicini

Theses and Dissertations

The complete understanding of a clusters electronic structure, the primary mechanisms for its properties and stabilization is necessary in order to functionalize them for use as building blocks within novel materials. First principle theoretical studies have been carried out upon the electronic properties of Cr_xTe_y (x = 1 – 6, y = 0 – 8, x + y ≤ 14), as well as for the larger triethylphosphine (PEt₃) ligated cluster system of Cr₆Te₈(PEt₃)₆. Together, we aim to use the information garnered from the smaller clusters to address …

Energetic Effects Of Hole Transporting Materials On The Performance Of Organometal Halide Perovskite Photovoltaic Cells, So Min Park

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

Efficient, inexpensive, lightweight and flexible solar cells are desired to help meet the world’s growing energy needs. Organometal halide perovskite (OMHP) photovoltaic (PV) cells have shown dramatic increases in solar cell efficiencies increase over the last 5 years. OMHP PV cells have attracted significant attention due to their broad absorption spectra, high electron and hole mobility, and low production cost. The interface between hole transporting layer (HTL) and perovskite thin films have a significant influence on charge transfer and overall solar cell performance. 2,2’,7,7’-tetrakis(N,N-di-p-methoxyphenylamine)9,9’-spirobifluorene (Spiro-OMeTAD) is a small molecule largely used as HTL in perovskite solar cells. However, this material …

Biomimetic Devices To Drive A Thermodynamically Uphill Reaction Using Light And To Degrade Industrial Waste Stream Components, Madison Joanne Sloan

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

Given the amount of industrial waste produced each year, as well as the accruing amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere produced by the burning of fossil fuels, it is imperative that humanity develop environmentally-sustainable sources of energy and methods of remediation. Nature achieves both of these by use of enzymes as catalysts, inspiring interest in designing biomimetic systems capable of harnessing clean energy and remediating industrial waste. This study examined the ability of enzymes in electrochemical and convective flow systems to achieve these tasks. The first portion studied the incorporation of enzymes into an electrochemical system to drive the …

Heterogeneous Base Metal Catalyzed Oxidative Depolymerization Of Lignin And Lignin Model Compounds, John Adam Jennings

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

With the dwindling availability of petroleum, focus has shifted to renewable energy sources such as lignocellulosic biomass. Lignocellulosic biomass is composed of three main constituents, lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose. Due to the low value of cellulosic ethanol, utilization of the lignin component is necessary for the realization of an economically sustainable biorefinery model. Once depolymerized, lignin has the potential to replace petroleum-derived molecules used as bulk and specialty aromatic chemicals. Numerous lignin depolymerization strategies focus on cleavage of β-aryl ether linkages, usually at high temperatures and under reductive conditions.

Alternatively, selective benzylic oxidation strategies have recently been explored for …

Characterization And Application Of Hybrid Nanostructures For Enhanced Biological Imaging Using Fluorescence Microscopy Techniques, William E. Martin

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

Fluorescence microscopy is a powerful tool for interpreting the structure and function of biomolecules, and their interactions with one another. Understanding fundamental biological mechanisms is important to the development of improved treatments for a variety of diseases. Fluorescent tags are used to track the motion and longevity of such events, with the ability to monitor several biomolecules at once. Currently, many of these studies are conducted using bulk measurements, or several biological events at the same time, because the added light from several emitters can more easily overcome the high fluorescence background inherent to biological systems. Although important in their …

Interactions Of Compounds Containing Group 12 And 16 Elements, Daniel Burriss

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

The focus of this dissertation is on the interactions of compounds containing group 12 and 16 elements. This work is presented in three major parts. First, the interaction of the synthetic dithiol N,N’-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)isophthalamide), abbreviated BDTH₂, with selenite. Second, the interaction of cysteine with Cd(II) and the biologically relevant Cd-Cysteine crystal structure. Third, the green synthesis of CdSe quantum dots (QDs).

The interaction of BDTH₂ with selenite is different from the interactions with other metals and metalloids previously studied. Under ambient conditions, BDTH₂ is oxidized to the disulfide, BDT(S-S), while selenite is reduced to elemental selenium. However, …

Charge Transport In Electronic-Ionic Composites, Long Zhang

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

The goal of this thesis is to generate fundamental understandings of charge transport behaviors of composites consisting of garnet structured Al substituted Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂ (LLZO) electrolyte and LiCoO₂ electrode. In order to take full advantage of all-solid-state batteries, bulk type composite electrodes should be introduced to increase energy and power density. However, the charge utilization of bulk type composite electrodes is quite low. Understanding ionic conduction behavior is, therefore, important for improving the performance of all-solid-state batteries, because ion conduction within solids depends on effective pathways. Electronic conductivity can be easily compensated by …

Photoluminescence Mechanism And Applications Of Graphene Quantum Dots, Yiyang Liu

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are small pieces of graphene oxide whose physical dimensions are so confined (a few to a few tens nm) that they have a finite bandgap due to a quantum confinement effect. The finite bandgap of GQDs grants them pronounced absorption bands and a substantial photoluminescence. These optical properties are rarely observed in traditional carbon materials, since most of carbon materials are metallic with a near-zero bandgap and thus have broad absorption spectra with no photoluminescence. The unique optical properties of GQDs, along with GQDs’ inherited advantages from carbon material family (cheap, abundant, non-toxic), make GQDs an …

Arsenic Removal With A Dithiol Ligand Supported On Magnetic Nanoparticles, John Hamilton Walrod Ii

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

Exposure to arsenic (As) in water, the ubiquitous toxin that poses adverse health risks to tens of millions, is the result of both anthropogenic and geochemical mobilization. Despite recent publicity and an increased public awareness, the dangers associated with arsenic exposure rank among the top priorities of public health agencies globally. Existing sequestration applications mainly include reductions and adsorption with zero-valent metals and their oxides. The performance of adsorption media is known to preferentially favor aqueous As(V) over As(III) due to the charge of the dissolved oxyanion. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) have been the focus of multidisciplinary research efforts for the …

Exploring The Structure And Properties Of Nanomaterials Using Advanced Electron Microscopy Techniques, Yao-Jen Chang

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

Nowadays people are relying on all kinds of electronic devices in their daily life. All these devices are getting smaller and lighter with longer battery life due to the improvement of nanotechnology and materials sciences. Electron microscopy (EM) plays a vital role in the evolution of materials characterization which shapes the technology in today’s life. In electron microscopy, electron beam is used as the illumination source instead of visible light used in traditional optical microscopy, the wavelength of an electron is about 10⁵ times shorter than visible light. By taking this advantage, the resolving power and magnification are greatly …

Acenes, Heteroacenes And Analogous Molecules For Organic Photovoltaic And Field Effect Transistor Applications, Devin B. Granger

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons composed of benzenoid rings fused in a linear fashion comprise the class of compounds known as acenes. The structures containing three to six ring fusions are brightly colored and possess band gaps and charge transport efficiencies sufficient for semiconductor applications. These molecules have been investigated throughout the past several decades to assess their optoelectronic properties. The absorption, emission and charge transport properties of this series of molecules has been studied extensively to elucidate structure-property relationships. A wide variety of analogous molecules, incorporating heterocycles in place of benzenoid rings, demonstrate similar properties to the parent compounds and have …

Deconvolving The Steps To Control Morphology, Composition, And Structure, In The Synthesis Of High-Aspect-Ratio Metal Oxide Nanomaterials, Lei Yu

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

Metal oxides are of interest not only because of their huge abundance but also for their many applications such as for electrocatalysts, gas sensors, diodes, solar cells and lithium ion batteries (LIBs). Nano-sized metal oxides are especially desirable since they have larger surface-to-volume ratios advantageous for catalytic properties, and can display size and shape confinement properties such as magnetism. Thus, it is very important to explore the synthetic methods for these materials. It is essential, therefore, to understand the reaction mechanisms to create these materials, both on the nanoscale, and in real-time, to have design control of materials with desired …