Date of Award
5-2008
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Legacy Department
Materials Science and Engineering
Committee Chair/Advisor
Foulger, Stephen H
Committee Member
Smith , Dennis W
Committee Member
Luzinov , Igor
Abstract
Over the last decade atom transfer radical polymerization, ATRP, has become a commonplace route by which tailored polymers can be synthesized. The advent of this polymerization mechanism has enabled the controlled synthesis of block and multi-block polymer systems that maintain a terminal bromine functionality that adds further versatility to the synthesized polymers.
Additionally, in the last few years 'click' chemistry has come to light as an efficient method of selectively linking molecules under mild conditions (e.g. room temperature and aqueous systems). In particular, the copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction has become more and more popular, and provides another route by which novel polymer architectures can be formed.
This thesis examines the combination of ATRP and click chemistry to generate poly(propargyl acrylate), PA, colloidal particles surface functionalized with polystyrene, PS. In effect, by grafting the PS to the surface of the PA particle pseudo core-shell particles should be created. These PSPA particles are examined using dynamic light scattering, DLS, and TEM to ascertain any changes in the particles morphology. The pseudo core-shell PSPA particle, by itself may not be overly interesting system; however, it does serve as a model for linking functional colloidal particles with end functional polymers.
This thesis also examines the synthesis of methyl methacrylate based carbazole and oxadiazole monomers and polymers for potential application in polymer based LEDs. Recently there has been much interest in polymer based LEDs for lighting applications owing to their ease of fabrication and possible energy conservation benefits. The carbazole and oxadiazole polymers, the hole and electron transporting components respectively, must be able to withstand the rigors, primarily temperature, of being part of an operational device. The work confirms the stability of the polymers at operating temperatures through the measure of glass transition temperatures.
Recommended Citation
Hunt, Zachary, "Surface Functionalized Colloidal Particles and Polymer Synthesis for LED Based Applications" (2008). All Theses. 329.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/329