POLY 111 |
| In recent years, biodegradable polymers have been studied as replacements for their petroleum-derived relatives, and in new applications that exploit their unique properties. Synthetic polyester biopolymers are biodegradable and biocompatible, resulting in the development of many biomedical applications. The generation of copolymers, blends, and nanocomposites from biopolymers are flexible routes to tailoring material properties for specific applications. The present research involves the development of novel catalytic materials to be used for the formation of polymer nanocomposites. Traditionally, the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of d,l-lactide is catalyzed by the liquid catalyst tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate to obtain polymers of high molecular weight. By fixing this catalyst to mesoporous supports with varying channel dimensions, the polymerization may be carried out inside the channels of the structure. The goal of this research is to demonstrate that this is a viable route to improved physical properties in biopolymers. |
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Excellence in Graduate Polymer Science Research
6:00 PM-8:00 PM, Sunday, April 6, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster
Division of Polymer Chemistry |