MS Thesis Defense: Sustainable Antibacterial Polyesters based on Succinic Acid, Mercaptosuccinic Acid, and Eugenol
Chemistry and Materials Science Seminar
Sustainable Antibacterial Polyesters based on Succinic Acid, Mercaptosuccinic Acid, and Eugenol
Rebekah Finster
Materials Science and Engineering MS Candidate
School of Chemistry and Materials Science
Register Here for Zoom Link
This seminar may be attended in person in 1129 Gleason Hall or online via Zoom.
Abstract:
The prevalent use of synthetic polymers has created major sustainability issues including petroleum resource depletion and overfilling of landfills. At the same time, antibiotic resistance and the spread of new viruses have driven a need for antimicrobial and antiviral materials. A sustainable way to make materials antibacterial or antiviral is to use essential oils. Eugenol is a commonly used essential oil for these purposes, but it has been found to cause tissue irritation on contact. When eugenol is covalently connected to the material, these effects of oil leaching can be avoided. By creating a poly(butylene succinate) [PBS] based polymer containing eugenol, we made a degradable polymer that could fulfill many uses. Even with low eugenol content, the polymers showed over 90% bacterial reduction and even moderate eugenol content produced a polymer that was semicrystalline. Through characterization we can co-optimize antimicrobial and physical properties to develop a material that is ideal for a variety of uses such as food or medical packaging or equipment.
Intended Audience:
Undergraduates, graduates, experts. Those with interest in the topic.
To request an interpreter, please visit myaccess.rit.edu
Event Snapshot
When and Where
Who
Open to the Public
Interpreter Requested?
No