Design of functional polymers for use in "smart" catalysis and self assembly /
One of the major thrusts of polymer research in recent years has been the development of functional polymers to suit various needs. Functional polymers are accessible by modification of the parent polymer at the surface, bulk or molecular level. These different aspects of polymer modification are...
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| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
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[Place of publication not identified] :
[publisher not identified] ;
1995.
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| Online Access: | http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=742744571&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD |
| Summary: | One of the major thrusts of polymer research in recent years has been the development of functional polymers to suit various needs. Functional polymers are accessible by modification of the parent polymer at the surface, bulk or molecular level. These different aspects of polymer modification are discussed with respect to surface, catalysis, and self-assembly chemistry. A new method to surface modify polypropylene by bromination was attempted. In order to obviate bulk functionalization of the polymer, radical cationic chemistry was used. The bromination was performed with N bromodimethylamine in acid medium in the presence of the electron transfer reagent, ferrous sulfate. The reaction proceeded with modification at the surface and at the bulk level. However, the extent of bromination in the polymer bulk was less in the presence of ferrous sulfate. A novel application of functional polymers in the field of catalysis was explored. Polymeric ligands (PEO-PPO-PEO block copolymers) that exhibit inverse temperature dependent solubility behavior in water were used to prepare hydrogenation catalysts. These water-soluble catalysts regulated reaction temperature as the polymer ligand affected a change in catalyst solubility in response to temperature changes. The net result was a smartcatalytic system that was functional at low temperatures and whose activity ceased at higher temperatures. Both neutral and cationic polymer- bound hydrogenation catalysts were prepared. This novel catalytic concept has potential utility in providing a means of temperature control in suitable systems. Sulfur- containing functional polymers for self-assembly chemistry and surface modification were also prepared. The focus of this chemistry was directed toward the development of suitable polymers for passivation of metal surfaces like those of copper and iron. Sulfur-derivatized polystyrenes were used to prepare polymer-metal composites with copper and gold surfaces. Experiments indicated that thiol containing polymers were effective in chemisorbing to the metal surface. These thiol-containing polymers were more effective when compared to other sulfur-containing polymers. |
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| Item Description: | Vita. "Major Subject: Chemistry". |
| Physical Description: | xii, 207 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm. Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilms Inc. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |