Environmental Response, Mechanisms, and Orientation of Diffusing Molecular Ions in Polyelectrolyte Thin Films

Simple item page
dc.contributor.advisorLandes, Christy F.
dc.contributor.advisorHackerman-Welch, Norman
dc.creatorReznik, Carmen Geraldine
dc.date.accessioned2013-03-08T00:38:03Z
dc.date.available2013-03-08T00:38:03Z
dc.date.issued2011
dc.description.abstractNew electrochemical storage and conversion materials hold promise as important additions to the world's energy supply, and the growing ability to control both sequestration and transfer of charge and matter via functionally responsive materials promises to transform the field. Already, new understanding of the role played by nano-scale morphology of materials in transport function has contributed to considerable material improvements, with functional polymers possessing specific chemistry and morphology playing a key role in the future of electrochemical material applications. However, many challenges to optimizing properties still exist due to incomplete descriptions of transport. In this work, fluorescence spectroscopy and single molecule spectroscopy experimental techniques and analysis are developed and employed to reveal details of the mechanisms underpinning ion transport in structurally ordered polyelectrolyte polymer-brush membranes. The studies reveal the existence and nature of heterogeneous transport mechanisms in these polymer films, and provide a description of the dynamic association of molecular ions with the brush. It is also shown that it is possible to tune charged ion transport characteristics in the thin films by controlling the solvent pH, with an effective switching of ion transport rates in these brushes past a threshold pH value. Additionally, Monte Carlo models designed to model molecular scale interactions that give rise to experimental observables are developed to provide additional insight into the physical nature of transport processes in these materials. These models provide additional support for the conclusions of the experimental work.
dc.format.extent168 p.en_US
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.callnoTHESIS CHEM. 2011 REZNIK
dc.identifier.citationReznik, Carmen Geraldine. "Environmental Response, Mechanisms, and Orientation of Diffusing Molecular Ions in Polyelectrolyte Thin Films." (2011) Diss., Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/70408">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/70408</a>.
dc.identifier.digitalReznikCen_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/70408
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.
dc.subjectPure sciences
dc.subjectPolymer brushes
dc.subjectPolyelectrolyte thin films
dc.subjectCharge transport
dc.subjectIon diffusion
dc.subjectPhysical chemistry
dc.titleEnvironmental Response, Mechanisms, and Orientation of Diffusing Molecular Ions in Polyelectrolyte Thin Films
dc.typeThesis
dc.type.materialText
thesis.degree.departmentChemistry
thesis.degree.disciplineNatural Sciences
thesis.degree.grantorRice University
thesis.degree.levelDoctoral
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
ReznikC.pdf
Size:
14.1 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download
Collections
Rice University Electronic Theses and Dissertations