Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis made openly available per email from author, 8-2-2015.

No description available.

A review of organic, π-electron donor molecules is given. The focus is on non- tetrathiafulvalene based systems. Polycyclic arenes, thioalkyl substituted arenes, chalcogenated fulvalenes, peri-dichalcogen bridged polycyclic arenes and heteroarenes are covered. Various π-electron donor molecules based on acenaphtho[ 1,2-b][ 1,4]-dithin have been synthesised via various methodologies. The redox properties of these molecules, as studied by cyclic voltammetry, provide evidence that these species are efficient π-electron donors. A selection of these compounds have also been studied by Electron Spin Resonance. Two ring expansion methodologies have been utilised in the synthesis of acenaphtho[l,2-b][l,4]-dithin based systems from 1,2-dithiols. Complexation of 7,12- dithia-benzo[k]fluoranthene, thus synthesised, with 2,5-dibromo-7,7,8,8-tetracyano-p- quinodimethane and iodine (I(_4) counter ion) yielded highly crystalline but poorly conducting salts.1,2-Dibromoacenaphthylene and benzo-l,2-dithiolate species have been reacted to form new 7,12-dithia-benzo[k]fluoranthene derivatives, two of which have been studied by X-ray diffraction. The versatile oligo(l,3-dithiole-2,4,5-trithione) compound has been used to generate various compounds containing the 1,4-dithiin ring including 8,9- di(methylsulfanyl)acenaphthyleno[l,2-b][l,4]dithine, which forms complexes with 7, 7,8,8-tetracyano-p-quinodimethane, 2,5-dibromo-7,7,8,8-tetracyano-p-quinodimethane and iodine (I(_7) counter ion) all three of which have been studied by X-ray diffraction. A novel 1,2,4-trithiolane has also been synthesised and characterised by X-ray diffraction.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Michigan State University. Dept. of Chemistry, 2007. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on July 6, 2009) Includes bibliographical references. Also issued in print.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2002. / Bibliography: leaves 106-110.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, Dept. of Physics, March 2001. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

This work describes the synthesis pathways to the development of optically and thermally responsive nanovalves with fast response times in nanoporous membranes. As an approach, we developed synthesis pathways to couple a thermally responsive polymer with metallic nanoparticles and build a nanocomposite that synergizes the capability of metallic nanoparticles to convert light into heat, and the fast thermal response exhibited by the polymeric material. In addition, we developed a technique to immobilize the synthesized nanocomposite to the surface of nanoporous membranes, which allowed building valves with light and heat triggering responses. This dissertation describes two syntheses pathways developed to produce optically and thermally responsive nanocomposites by coupling metallic nanoparticles, gold and silver, with a thermally responsive polymer, p-N-isopropyl acrylamide (PNIPAM). The coupling is achieved by using PNIPAM as a capping and nucleating agent in the in situ redox reaction of a silver salt with sodium borohydride, and using PNIPAM as a capping and stabilizing agent in the redox reaction of a gold salt with ascorbic acid. The size and shape of the nanoparticles were controlled and the synthesized nanocomposites exhibit “cocoon-like” structures due to the PNIPAM surrounding the metal nanoparticles, giving the capability to aggregate and resolubilize, through many thermal (shown for gold and silver nanocomposites) and optical (shown by exposing to 532 nm wavelength low-power lasers) cycles. The steady state and dynamic heat conduction of the heat generated from the particles was modeled and the results agreed with the observed optical switching at our experimental conditions. Finally, a method to incorporate nanocomposites into nanoporous membranes (NPM) was developed. It involved prior immobilization of PNIPAM through plasma-induced grafting, followed by a reduction in situ of a metallic salt. The composite NPMs showed thermal responses and through simulation of heat conduction within the pores using the model developed in this work we were able to conclude that the synthesized composite membranes will exhibit optical switching when exposed to focused low power lasers. The nanovalves developed in this work have potential applications as optothermally responsive valves for the spatio-temporal delivery of bioactive agents, cell array, and advanced cell culture systems. / text

Cette thèse s'inscrit dans le cadre du projet ANR « PROCOM » du programme Matériaux et Procédés dont le coordinateur est EADS IW. Elle a eu pour objectif la mise en place et le développement d’un procédé industrialisable consistant en la fabrication de renforts fibreux pour les composites de haute performance. Elle intègre des nouveaux concepts à nano/micro-échelles et un traitement de surface par voie électrochimique. Les travaux de cette thèse présentent la synthèse d’un polymère conducteur électronique, le polypyrrole, par voie électrochimique, effectuée à la surface de renforts hybrides qui sont des fibres de carbone greffées de nanotubes de carbone (NTCs). Dans un premier temps il s’agit d’optimiser la synthèse du polymère et d’observer l’influence des différents paramètres liés à l’électrochimie sur le taux de dopage et l’épaisseur du film polymère. Les paramètres étudiés étant le potentiel appliqué, le temps de polymérisation, la nature de l’électrolyte et le dopant. Puis il s’agit d’évaluer l’influence du dépôt de polymère sur trois paramètres très importants. Ces paramètres sont la conductivité électrique, les propriétés mécaniques et l’accrochage des NTCs à la surface de la fibre de carbone. Les propriétés électriques sont importantes car ces composites seront utilisés pour le fuselage d’aéronefs qui doivent pouvoir dissiper le courant en cas de foudre. Les bonnes propriétés électriques intrinsèques des NTCs ainsi que l’utilisation d’un polymère conducteur ont permis d’améliorer les propriétés conductrices du renfort. Le polymère joue également le rôle d’interface entre le renfort qui est la fibre hybride et la matrice dans le but d’améliorer les propriétés mécaniques du matériau final. Cependant pour améliorer l’interface différents pré-traitements ont été effectués, tels qu’un traitement thermique, une fonctionnalisation de surface par plasma et le greffage d’une couche d’accroche. Enfin, le polymère joue un rôle protecteur au niveau de la dissémination des NTCs dans l’atmosphère afin d’éviter tout risque sanitaire. Dans un deuxième temps, un système permettant l’électropolymérisation des fibres hybrides en continu a été mis au point en vue de la réalisation d’un procédé pilote par les partenaires industriels du projet. / This thesis is part of the ANR project “PROCOM” from the Mat&Pro program whose coordinator is EADS IW. The aim of the project is the development of a process likely to be scaled up industrially to produce fibrous reinforcements for high performance composites. The project incorporates new concepts in nano / micro-scale and an electrochemical surface treatment. This PhD work presents the synthesis of an electronically conductive polymer (polypyrrole) by an electrochemical route, on the surface of hybrid reinforcements which are carbon fibers grafted by carbon nanotubes (CNTs). At first, the polymer synthesis has been optimized and the influence of different electrochemical parameters on the doping level and the thickness of the polymer layer was investigated. The parameters studied were the applied potential, the polymerization time, the nature of the electrolyte and the dopant. Then, the influence of polymer deposition on three very important parameters was considered. These parameters are the electrical conductivity, the mechanical properties and the adhesion of CNTs on the surface of the carbon fibers. The electrical properties are important because these composites are intended to be used for the fuselage of aircraft that must be able to dissipate the current from lightning. Good intrinsic electrical properties of CNTs and the use of a conductive polymer have improved the conductive properties of reinforcements. The polymer, which is at the interface between the reinforcing hybrid fibers and the matrix, is expected to improve the mechanical properties of the final material. However, to improve this interface different pre-treatments were carried out, such as heat treatment, plasma surface functionalization and incorporation of a grafting layer. Finally, the polymer plays a protective role in the dissemination of CNTs in the atmosphere in order to avoid any health risk. In a second step, a system for the electropolymerization of hybrid fibers in continuous was implemented with the aim of developing an industrially scalable process.

No description available.