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DESIGN OF HIERARCHY IN POLYMERS VIA SYNTHESIS AND FABRICATION METHODS

Matolyak, Lindsay Elise
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6102-2340
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1504979110267961

Abstract Details

2018, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Macromolecular Science and Engineering.
Nature controls the formation of hierarchical structures by tuning physical associations and utilizing fiber architectures to achieve an array of material properties. Inspired by natural materials, this dissertation has employed multiple strategies to develop hierarchy in polymeric systems. Synthetically, a bottom up approach is utilized to fabricate several series of peptidic-polyurea hybrids. Building blocks, including triisocyanate crosslinkers, amorphous and semi-crystalline soft segments, and peptide block choice, were used to probe the physical interactions between and within each polyurea block as well as how these interactions effect morphology and mechanics. Utilizing these synthetic design opportunities, control over peptide secondary structures, phase behavior, and morphological features was achieved, leading to the development of complex hierarchical systems with tunable material properties. Hierarchy can also be facilitated through the use of manufacturing techniques to develop fiber based constructs. Successful fiber development was achieved utilizing the Taguchi method to optimize the processing parameters of peptidic-polyureas into nanoscale fibers (via electrospinning), resulting in fiber diameters of 500 nm and the conservation of peptide secondary structures. Further utilization of electrospinning to encapsulate a small molecule dye within a nanoscale polymer fiber followed by encasing the fiber mat in a polymeric matrix led to a hierarchical composite with tailored dye release profiles, ranging from 48 hours to 50 days dependent on the dye content. Thus, from the angstrom scale (peptide and small molecule assembly) and the nanoscale (fibers and morphological development) to the macroscopic fabrication of films, mats, and composites, controlled hierarchical arrangements in polymeric systems was accomplished. Thus, in this dissertation work both synthetic (polymer-peptide hybrids) and manufacturing (electrospinning & composite fabrication) methods were utilized to attain controlled hierarchy with potential for future development of actuators, shape memory devices, and drug delivery vehicles.
LaShanda Korley (Advisor)
218 p.
Polymers

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Matolyak, L. E. (2018). DESIGN OF HIERARCHY IN POLYMERS VIA SYNTHESIS AND FABRICATION METHODS [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1504979110267961

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Matolyak, Lindsay . DESIGN OF HIERARCHY IN POLYMERS VIA SYNTHESIS AND FABRICATION METHODS. 2018. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1504979110267961.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Matolyak, Lindsay . "DESIGN OF HIERARCHY IN POLYMERS VIA SYNTHESIS AND FABRICATION METHODS." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1504979110267961

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1504979110267961
206
© 2017, some rights reserved.Creative Commons License DESIGN OF HIERARCHY IN POLYMERS VIA SYNTHESIS AND FABRICATION METHODS by Lindsay Elise Matolyak is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at etd.ohiolink.edu.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.