Chemistry Seminar: Surface Modification of Polymers with Vacuum UV Photo-oxidation

Event Image
chemistry seminar scms timothy kovach

Surface Modification of Polymers with Vacuum UV Photo-oxidation

Timothy Kovach
Chemistry MS Candidate
School of Chemistry and Materials Science, RIT

Register Here for Zoom Link


Abstract
:

Vacuum UV photo-oxidation is a technique which can be used to modify a sample with the addition of various oxygen-based organic functional groups. Because the process of VUV photo-oxidation only modifies the surface of a sample, this method initiates chemical changes on the surface without changing the bulk properties. This allows for the effective use of VUV photo-oxidation to make the sample surface more hydrophilic (due to the presence of more polar functional groups). This research investigated the modification of polybenzimidazole (PBI) surface for use in a Hydrogen High Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell or Redox Flow Battery. In these devices, a PBI membrane is doped with phosphoric acid in order to facilitate the transfer of protons, creating a gradient which allows for the conversion from chemical to electrical energy. However, with extended use, PBI will gradually lose its ability to retain this doped phosphoric acid, causing it to leak out of the battery. Through the use of VUV photo-oxidation, the increase in hydrophilicity of the surface was investigated in order to allow it to better retain the doped phosphoric acid. With increasing treatment time, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy showed an increase in oxygenated functional groups on the surface resulting in a decrease of the measured water contact angle. In collaboration with Dr. Matt Miri, the surface modification of some highly sustainable polyesters were also investigated.

Speaker Bio:
Timothy Kovach is a graduate of Roberts Wesleyan College with a Major in Chemistry and a Minor in Mathematics. Under Dr. Jason Taylor, he spent two years working with gold nanoparticles and quantum dots in an attempt to modify them to adhere to latent fingerprints. After graduating in May of 2018, he enrolled in RIT’s MS Chemistry program doing research with Dr. Gerald Takacs. In the future, he hopes to continue in the field of renewable energy research. While at RIT, he has co-authored both a presentation given at the “Tenth International Symposium on Polymer Surface Modification: Relevance to Adhesion” and a manuscript accepted for publication in the journal “Reviews of Adhesion and Adhesives”.

Intended Audience:
Undergraduates, graduates, and experts. Those with interest in the topic.


Contact
Thomas Smith
Event Snapshot
When and Where
November 17, 2020
12:30 pm - 1:45 pm
Room/Location: See Zoom Registration Link
Who

This is an RIT Only Event

Interpreter Requested?

No

Topics
research
student experience