Date on Honors Thesis

Fall 12-1-2025

Major

Chemistry/Polymer and materials science track

Minor

Physics

Examining Committee Member

Kevin Miller, PhD, Advisor

Examining Committee Member

Caleb Morris, PhD

Examining Committee Member

Daniel Johnson, PhD

Abstract/Description

There is a growing urgency to develop sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based materials as concerns about environmental impact and resource depletion intensify. Among renewable biopolymers, cellulose stands out as one of the most abundant and versatile organic compounds on Earth. As the structural backbone of plant cell walls, it provides rigidity and mechanical strength, while its abundance, biodegradability, and tunable chemistry make it an attractive candidate for sustainable materials. Beyond its traditional uses in textiles, paper, and food additives, cellulose has been increasingly investigated in polymer chemistry for advanced

applications. The present study aims to optimize synthetic routes to dual ionic liquid-

functionalized cellulose. Two alternative pathways for synthesizing the ionic liquid precursor were evaluated: one beginning with 6-chlorohexanol and the other with caprolactone. Both strategies ultimately rely on click chemistry for triazole installation and subsequent triazolium functionalization, but differ in cost, number of steps, and scalability. The goal is to determine which route provides the most efficient balance of yield, labor, and material expense. Characterization of the resulting derivatives was carried out using primarily NMR spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy were utilized to confirm structure. Optimizing the synthetic process will not only advance the design of cellulose poly(ionic liquid) but also support the broader pursuit of sustainable, high performance materials.steps, and scalability. The goal was to determine which route provides the most efficient balance of yield, labor, and material expense. Characterization of the resulting derivatives was carried out using primarily NMR spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy. Optimizing the synthetic process will not only advance the design of cellulosic poly(ionic liquid) but also support the broader pursuit of sustainable, high-performance materials.

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