College
College of Engineering and Polymer Science
Date of Last Revision
2023-05-04 19:40:31
Major
Chemical Engineering
Honors Course
4200:497
Number of Credits
2
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Date of Expected Graduation
Spring 2021
Abstract
It has been hypothesized that poly(vinylmethylether) (PVME) could be used to replace poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAAM) in various thermoresponsive applications based on literature searches and previous lab experiments. PVME is cheaper and easier to process, and would make pNIPAAM applications more cost effective. In order to verify this, experimental data was gathered on the effects of four anions from the Hofmeister series (SO42-, Cl-, I-, and SCN-) on the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of pNIPAAM and compared to previous data collected on PVME. Commercial pNIPAAM from Sigma Aldrich and Polysciences were used. The reported LCST range for pNIPAAM is 30-35°C. From this study, the pNIPAAM from Sigma Aldrich was found to be at the upper end of this range, and pNIPAAM from Polysciences at the lower end. ANOVA and t Tests were run to determine significant difference in the LCST between the polymers. The results were inconclusive, with there being significant differences for some ions, but not in others. It is recommended that further testing to be completed with an increased number of tests for each anion in order to have more accurate statistical analyses. It is also recommended to use other anions in the Hofmeister series.
Research Sponsor
Bi-min Zhang Newby
First Reader
Edward Evans
Second Reader
Roya Gitiafroz
Honors Faculty Advisor
Bi-min Zhang Newby
Recommended Citation
Knight, Ashley, "Comparison of the Effects of Hofmeister Ions on Transition Temperature of Two Thermoresponsive Polymers" (2021). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 1282.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/1282