Abstract

Polyethylene is the most produced plastic in the world due to its versatility and ubiquitous applications. The production and use of polyethylene however pose sustainability issues such as using petroleum resources and the persistence of its waste in landfills and oceans. Though not every issue can be addressed simultaneously, the more critical issue is to develop a polyethylene that can degrade within a few months instead of hundreds of years. A possible solution is to synthesize a polyethylene mimic, consisting of long chain of methylene groups with an occasional input of a functional group while maintaining similar properties as that of normal polyethylene. A functional group in a polymer chain can act as a defect in a chain. In this work, a polyethylene-based polymer containing carbonate groups was synthesized through ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) using a 3rd generation Grubbs Catalyst. Through characterization, the physical properties of the polyethylene mimic can be optimized to develop a material that is ideal for a variety of uses such as food or medical packaging while being able to degrade in a timely manner.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Biodegradable plastics--Synthesis; Ring-opening metathesis polymerization

Publication Date

8-8-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Materials Science and Engineering (MS)

Department, Program, or Center

School of Chemistry and Materials Science (COS)

Advisor

Massoud Miri

Advisor/Committee Member

Scott Williams

Advisor/Committee Member

Michael Heagy

Comments

This thesis has been embargoed. The full-text will be available on or around 8/21/2024.

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

MSENG-MS

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