This research is in the area of polymer chemistry, and this specific research is on the effects different metal ion ligands will cause on synthetically crafted polymerized materials. This was done through the testing of the materials through a rheological frequency sweep of the materials upon addition of the metal ligand, finding the stress modulus of the materials as to show which material can withhold the most stress, and which ones will stay in their polymerized state for longest. This research is being done to try to find which metal ion will cause the most desirable material to be formed as a product, this is very important to both the chemistry field, as well as the biological field, as a material that can undergo a fueled, temporary change, only to convert back to its previous state could be very useful in the creations of self-healing materials, or materials that can withstand very harsh conditions for a temporary fix to a problem, while a real solution can be found for the problem at hand. What was found from the study is that electron withdrawing groups have been shown to create a longer lasting material, and Fe2+ metal ion ligands are shown to create a more rigid structured material after it is added. This research can be helpful to the medical industry as well, as with the right materials, the product could be used as a sealant for small wounds, as it could withstand the wear of life around it, and when the expected life of the product is up, it can return to its previous state, making it so that the person would not have to get it removed or checked.
Author(s): Tyler Snyder, Sophia Constantino
Advisor(s): Scott Hartley, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Dominik Konkolewicz, Chemistry and Biochemistry
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