Barker, Emily Frances
(2024)
Synthesis and Behaviors of Aqua- and Electro-Responsive Polymers.
Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
This is the latest version of this item.
Abstract
Two classes of stimuli-responsive polymers were prepared and studied. The first class of materials comprised both homopolymers of and block copolymer including polyoxacyclobutane (POCB) which is known to exhibit the rare quality of cocrystallization when exposed to water. The kinetics of cocrystallization were investigated using techniques that had previously only been applied to polymer homocrystallization. It was shown that cocrystallization, while heavily influenced by diffusion effects, can still be described by standard homocrystallization theories. Block copolymers containing POCB and polyethylene oxide (PEO) were then synthesized via click chemistry to test their ability to form the hydrate as well as their ability to self-assemble. It was also established that the crystalline POCB hydrate does form for block copolymers, and that for low PEO to POCB ratios the structure of the crystal changes from spherulites to cylindrical micelles. At high temperatures the crystal melts and the block copolymers separate into aggregates/micelles with a hydrophobic core. The second class of stimuli-responsive polymers investigated were polymers bearing ionic side chains. With a long-term goal of forming layered composites whose mechanical properties could be controlled with electricity, polymer electrolytes were prepared, and their adhesion was studied. Metal substrates coated with polymers bearing both negatively and positively charged sidechains were shown to physically adhere to electrodes when an external voltage was applied. The dependence of the adhesion on environment and sample history was studied.
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
|
| ETD Committee: |
|
| Date: |
13 May 2024 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Defense Date: |
19 October 2023 |
| Approval Date: |
13 May 2024 |
| Submission Date: |
5 April 2024 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Number of Pages: |
212 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences > Chemistry |
| Degree: |
PhD - Doctor of Philosophy |
| Thesis Type: |
Doctoral Dissertation |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
cocrystallization, crystallization, electroadhesion, electroadhesive, POCB, stimuli-responsive polymers, micelles, crystallization kinetics, kinetics |
| Date Deposited: |
13 May 2024 13:44 |
| Last Modified: |
13 May 2024 13:44 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/46092 |
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Synthesis and Behaviors of Aqua- and Electro-Responsive Polymers. (deposited 13 May 2024 13:44)
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