Metal-organic polymers
Background: Plastics are usually made from organic polymers, and are incredibly widespread and useful. However, metals bring a whole host of useful properties - color, conductivity, catalytic activity, anti-bacterial properties, and more. Our lab is currently working with a copper-based polymer that behaves in many ways like a traditional plastic. Our plan is to change the side-groups on this polymer, to (a) manipulate the properties of the polymer and (b) potentially introduce cross-linking groups to hopefully create a "rubber-like" material.
Green Chemistry: It's possible - although, at this point unverified - that metal-based plastics would actually be easily biodegraded or recycled, potentially combatting the problem of microplastics being released into the environment - so these might be better for the environment than traditional plastics!
Goal: The goal of this research project is to synthesize copper-based polymers with new side-chains, and to characterize the properties of the resulting materials.
What will you do? This project will involve organic and inorganic synthesis, as well as characterization of the products using Single-Crystal and Powder X-Ray Diffraction (SC-XRD and PXRD), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), dynamic scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, polarized light microscopy (PLM), and potentially Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).
Working in the lab: Typical time commitment is 3-4 hours per week (in return for 1 credit). Ideally, you must have an uninterrupted block (a full afternoon or morning) in your schedule to work on this project. You'll be working in a small team (2-3) people on this project. Our lab regularly meets for journal club and for social lunches.
Want to learn more before you apply? Email me at chealy@g.hmc.edu or drop into my office (Jacobs 1207). You don't need to have any specific experience to apply (but preference will be given to those who have completed at least Chem 42 and are pursuing either Chem 51 or 56).
Essay Prompt: If you want to apply, please write a short introduction about yourself, and include (a) why you're interested in the project and (b) what you're hoping to learn.