Expanding the chemical tunability and precision of bottlebrush polymer synthesis

The pursuit of engineering macroscopic properties in polymeric materials has heightened the need to precisely control polymer microstructure, including architecture, size, and chemistry. Advances in synthetic methodologies and characterization techniques have facilitated the creation of well-defined functional polymers, establishing efficient structure-function relationships. However, challenges persist in independently controlling design parameters to elucidate molecular relationships between microstructure and macroscopic properties. To address this limitation, my research focused on developing synthetic methodologies for tuning the architecture, size, and composition of densely grafted polymers, known as bottlebrush polymers. This thesis outlines several methodologies for enhancing chemical tunability through side chain chemistry, bottlebrush polymer size, and architecture. These methods enable precise control over the shape (e.g., varying brush lengths along the backbone), chemistry (e.g., diverse brush chemistries and end-group functionalities), and size (e.g., brush and backbone lengths) of bottlebrush polymers, accompanied by rigorous characterization. The methodologies detailed in this thesis enhance the chemical tunability of bottlebrush polymers, providing a unique platform for correlating polymer microstructure with macroscopic properties. This approach aims to establish effective design rules and structure-function relationships for targeted applications in polymeric materials.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Chemical Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2024

Author dc:creator

• Kamble, Yash Laxman

Contributors dc:contributor

• Guironnet, Damien
• Diao, Ying
• Sing, Charles E
• Wang, Hua

• Polymers
• Bottlebrush Polymers
• Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization
• Group Transfer Polymerization
• Structural Color

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2024 Yash Kamble

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/127167

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F127167