Specific ion effects on transient polymers: a new strategy for programmable microcapusles

Tang, Shijia

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/101693 Copy

Description

Title

Specific ion effects on transient polymers: a new strategy for programmable microcapusles

Author(s)

Tang, Shijia

Issue Date

2018-07-13

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Moore, Jeffrey S.

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Moore, Jeffrey S.

Committee Member(s)

• Braun, Paul V.
• Chen, Qian
• Evans, Christopher M.

Department of Study

Materials Science & Engineerng

Discipline

Materials Science & Engr

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

Transient polymers, Triggered release, Hofmeister effect, Depolymerization kinetics

Abstract

Transient polymers are emerging materials that transform from macromolecules to small molecules triggered by predefined environmental stimuli. Distinct from traditional degradable polymers, transient materials undergo domino like chain unzipping reactions, leading to controlled and complete depolymerization upon one cleavage. Taking advantage of the unique feature of triggered materials transience, this dissertation focuses on developing transient polymer microcapsules for programmable payload release. In Chapter 2, a rapid solvent evaporation strategy was developed to prepare transient polymer microcapsules with a low-ceiling-temperature polymer, cyclic poly(phthalaldehyde) (cPPA), as the shell wall materials. Chapter 3 described an ion co-activation effect that modulated cPPA depolymerization rates in the presence of acid. In Chapter 4, we further investigated the ion specificity in the co-activation effect and anion solvation properties were found to significantly impact the co-activation behavior. Based on the specific ion co-activation effect, we developed programmable microcapsules whose payload release kinetics depends on the ionic species in the solutions. Chapter 5 further expanded the co-activation effect in Lewis acid solutions that achieved depolymerization in mild environment. In Chapter 6, several studies were devoted to understand the molecular and interfacial mechanisms of the ion co-activation effect. Chapter 7 reviewed current topics on the Hofmeister effect and constructed a crude model on auto-catalytic microcapsules. The thesis research offers an encapsulation strategy and ion library for triggered release microcapsules and will be of significance for designing logic gate responsive microcapsules, reversible activation-deactivation materials and self-regulating reaction networks in autonomous chemical system.

Graduation Semester

2018-08

Type of Resource

text

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/101693

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2018 Shijia Tang

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