Event Information
AFM-based Study of Reversible Polymer Systems, Mechanocatalysis, and Mechanophores
- Abstract:
Our current work investigates the fundamental properties of chemical systems that show potential to produce useful chemistry upon the application of mechanical force. Mechanochemistry provides a unique mode for approaching this through activation of chemical processes through application of mechanical force to chemical systems. Through AFM-based inquiry, the bond strengths, kinetics, and thermodynamics of the mechanochemical systems will be investigated on the single-molecule level. Alongside mechanochemistry, reversible polymers (RP) were also investigated with respect to self-repair which was evident upon growth, rupture, and repair between two opposing surfaces. A self-complementary DNA-based RP has been investigated via AFM, where bridging probability(BP) between the surface and AFM tip increased with increasing twait of the tip a distance d from the surface, concentration of DNA-16- mer in solution, and with decreasing d. Future work is proposed regarding structure-function analysis of derivatives of the current DNA-based RP system, and approaching the characterization of bond strengths, kinetics, and thermodynamics of mechanophore and mechanocatalysis systems, all approached via AFM.
Preliminary Examination Seminar
Student Exams Seminar