Alternative Synthesis of Ionic Liquid-functionalized Cellulose and Characterization of Electrospun Polymeric Fibers
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Kevin Miller; Dr. Daniel Johnson
Presentation Format
Event
Abstract/Description
Over the past thirty years there has been increasing importance placed on the concept of green chemistry and sustainability. Within the Miller lab, green chemistry concepts have been applied to generate cellulosic materials functionalized with ionic liquid groups. Previous work has found improved flexibility and conductivity associated with these materials with the number of ionic liquid substituents present on the cellulose backbone dictating thermal, mechanical, and conductive properties. This project seeks to optimize the synthesis of a key functionalized cellulosic material (FCM) for future scale-up efforts while exploring the materials potential in electrospinning applications. In short, an FCM where two ionic liquid functional groups (triazolium, imidazolium) are placed on each glucose repeating unit was synthesized, and characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopies, as well as by differential scanning calorimetry and broadband dielectric spectroscopy. In conjunction with the synthetic work, CELL-TRI-IM-C6-NTf2 was introduced into a traditional polymer solution to electrospin microfibers. The microfibers were then analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) which allowed morphologies and conditions to be compared in order to achieve a desired fiber outcome.
Spring Scholars Week 2026
Honors College Senior Thesis Presentations
Alternative Synthesis of Ionic Liquid-functionalized Cellulose and Characterization of Electrospun Polymeric Fibers
Over the past thirty years there has been increasing importance placed on the concept of green chemistry and sustainability. Within the Miller lab, green chemistry concepts have been applied to generate cellulosic materials functionalized with ionic liquid groups. Previous work has found improved flexibility and conductivity associated with these materials with the number of ionic liquid substituents present on the cellulose backbone dictating thermal, mechanical, and conductive properties. This project seeks to optimize the synthesis of a key functionalized cellulosic material (FCM) for future scale-up efforts while exploring the materials potential in electrospinning applications. In short, an FCM where two ionic liquid functional groups (triazolium, imidazolium) are placed on each glucose repeating unit was synthesized, and characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopies, as well as by differential scanning calorimetry and broadband dielectric spectroscopy. In conjunction with the synthetic work, CELL-TRI-IM-C6-NTf2 was introduced into a traditional polymer solution to electrospin microfibers. The microfibers were then analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) which allowed morphologies and conditions to be compared in order to achieve a desired fiber outcome.