Department of Chemistry Master Calendar

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This calendar includes all events from the following individual calendars: Department of Chemistry Alumni Events (events for an alumni audience), Department Events (events of general interest and/or relevant to all Chemistry research areas), Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Events, Public Events, and events related to Chemistry research areas and programs (Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Chemistry-Biology Interface Training Program, Inorganic Chemistry & Materials Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry), as well as Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Seminars & Events.

 

CANCELLED: Materials Faculty Candidate: Dr. Caitlin Sample, University of Minnesota, "Sustainable Polymer Design with Dynamic Covalent Chemistry"

Event Type
Seminar/Symposium
Sponsor
Materials Chemistry
Location
CLSL B102
Date
Jan 3, 2023   10:00 am  
Contact
Lisa Johnson
E-Mail
lisa3@illinois.edu
Phone
217-300-9574
Views
135
Originating Calendar
Chemistry - Inorganic/Materials Chemistry Seminars

Sustainable Polymer Design with Dynamic Covalent Chemistry

The last century – aptly called the “Plastics Age” – has seen enormous growth in the field of polymer science, with advances in macromolecular synthesis providing access to a wealth of technological innovation. However, this development now presents us with a new challenge: plastic waste is increasingly accumulating in our environment. Fortunately, we can use the ever-evolving tools of polymer chemistry to design systems with improved end-of-use outcomes. In this talk, I will highlight two such systems, harnessing dynamic covalent chemistry to increase longevity and improve recyclability. First, I will show how the inclusion of boronate esters in photopolymerizable resins enables the 3D printing of dynamic materials whose function can be modified over the lifetime of the part. The exchange of these boronate esters facilitates not only network rearrangement but also chemical modification. For the second system, I will discuss the synthesis of functional polyethylene for use as a reactive compatibilizer in the recycling of mixed plastic waste. By leveraging the principles of green chemistry, this additive can be produced in an efficient, scalable manner, and its addition to polyethylene terephthalate/polyethylene blends results in dramatic improvement in mechanical performance. These results underscore the versatile impact that dynamic covalent bonds can have in the design and synthesis of sustainable polymer materials.

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