Ithaca College

Chemistry Department is pleased to host Chemistry and Biochemistry Seminar Series Virtually, Tuesday’s at 12:10 pm. Please see Ithaca College Chemistry web page.

https://www.ithaca.edu/academics/school-humanities-and-sciences/chemistry/chemistry-and-biochemistry-seminar-series

Guest Speaker Rachel Snyder IC '15 PhD candidate in Geoff Coates Research Group, Cornell University will be joining us on Tuesday, November 10th at 12:10 pm will present: 

Tuning Covalent Bond Dynamics for Improved Polymer Recycling

While we could not have anticipated the mass scale-up and resultant environmental accumulation of plastics at the birth of the polymer industry, it is now imperative to adapt our infrastructure to modern sustainability challenges while maintaining plastics’ desirable functionality. Thermosets and other cross-linked polymer networks present unique sustainability and processability challenges as their permanent bonds provide strength and solvent-resistance but prevent reprocessing or repair. Covalent adaptable networks and vitrimers are classes of cross-linked networks that contain dynamic functional groups, resulting in robust properties at operational temperatures but allowing reshaping at elevated temperatures. We have developed series of both polycarbonate and poly(ester-imine) vitrimers with promising mechanical properties. Using rheology and small-molecule model reactions, we study the bond exchange rates and flow properties in these insoluble cross-linked networks. Lastly, we demonstrate that the robust mechanical properties can be recovered using a facile reprocessing procedure, enabling recycling of these materials.  

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Paula Larsen at plarsen@ithaca.edu . We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible.