Publication Date

Spring 2016

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Dr. Hemali Rathnayake (Director), Edwin Stevens, and Moon-Soo Kim

Degree Program

Department of Chemistry

Degree Type

Master of Science

Abstract

Self-assembly of colloidal microparticles is one of the strategies for making characteristic patterns. These versatile self-assemblies provide a route to elevate the efficiency of an electronic device. Silsesquioxane particles with various functionalities were synthesized by a modified Stöber condensation method. This thesis describes the synthesis of benzylchloride silsesquioxanes, benzylchloride-amine silsesquioxanes and amine-functionalized silsesquioxane particles with multi-fluorescent tags. The size and morphology of the particles were controlled by varying the concentration of base and anhydrous ethanol (solvent). The size distribution of particles was controlled by adjusting the molar ratios of organotrialkoxy silane, base, and ethanol concentrations. Through selective post-functionalization with fused arenes of anthracene and rhodamine, multifluorescent particles were obtained. Morphologies and optical properties of particles were characterized by TEM, SEM, fluorescence optical microscopy, and absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies. The composition of silsesquioxanes was confirmed by FTIR, thermogravimetric analysis, and elemental analysis. A versatile technique was developed for the self-assembly of particles on different polymer substrates by changing the colloidal suspension concentration and the polymer substrate.

Disciplines

Chemistry | Materials Chemistry

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