Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

12-2022

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Chemistry

Major Professor

Johnathan N. Brantley

Committee Members

Michael D. Best, Brian K. Long, Gila E. Stein

Abstract

Polymers have become ubiquitous in our everyday lives, and their various properties (which arise from the functional motifs found within the material) have helped them find a number of applications. Tuning material properties can be achieved either through polymerizing unique monomers with distinct chemical (or structural) elements, or post-polymerization modifications (which require the development of new synthetic methodologies). The research reported herein aims to address both of these grand challenges in materials science. We explore how the incorporation of metal and metalloid fragments affects polymer synthesis and bulk material properties, as well as how these synthetic handles can be subsequently engaged through further chemical transformation. Beyond this, we have developed a new electrochemical methodology that enables both functionalization and degradation of various polymeric substrates. These studies have allowed for the exploration of new chemical space in polymer science, as well as presented new platforms by which structure-property relationships can be interrogated.

Available for download on Monday, December 15, 2025

Files over 3MB may be slow to open. For best results, right-click and select "save as..."

Share

COinS