Dr. David Martyn

EDUCATION

Development of Polymers Incorporating Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes 

Dr. David Martyn (Mentor)

Specific Aims:  The goal of this research is mechanical properties enhancement of polyimides thru incorporation of phenyl amine functionalized single-wall carbon nanotubes.  By incorporating functionalized SWNT (fSWNT) into the polymer chain as a comonomer we desire to imbue polyimides with the high tensile strength characteristics displayed by pristine SWNT. 

Background & Significance:  Due to their unique properties, such as high strength and low weight, carbon nanotubes have received significant attention in the scientific community.  Potential applications of these materials include the incorporation of functionalized SWNT (fSWNT) into polymers.  Synthesis of these fSWNT-polymers first required synthesis of appropriately functionalized SWNT: a goal achieved last year.  Phenyl amine fSWNT were produced in sufficient quantities to allow production of fSWT-polyimides on the gram scale. Incorporating fSWNT as an integral part of a polymer provides two main benefits. First, functionalization increases the dispersibility of nanotubes, which have a propensity to aggregate, or bundle together.  Functionalization keeps the nanotubes from bundling thereby allowing the desired interaction between SWNT and polymer giving these polymers physical characteristics superior to their standard analogues.  Secondly, functionalizing SWNT allows for the inclusion of fSWNT in the polymer as it is being produced.  In this manner, interaction between the polymer and the nanotube is maximized. 

Thus, using covalently functionalized SWNT, we achieve increased SWNT dispersibility and the ability to manipulate how and to what extent fSWNT and the polymer interact.  In this way it is possible to engineer SWNT-polymer materials and optimize desirable physical properties.  Using these methods, we endeavor to produce novel polyimides that display enhanced mechanical properties.  

Materials & Methods In order to generate functionalized SWNT in abundance we required a generic method of functionalization that allowed addition of various desirable groups.  Using methods found in the literature as well as developing new methods, it was possible to append phenyl amine functional groups to the carbon nanotubes (Figure 1).

The polymer system currently being explored is based on a polyimide and utilizes an phenyl amine functionalized SWNT that is incorporated into the polymer backbone as it grows (Figure 2).  In this synthesis a 4-aminophenyl functionalized fSWNT is added to a mixture of 4,4’-oxydianiline and pyromellitic dianhydride.  The latter two compounds are the standard monomers used to produce polyimides such as Kapton.   

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: david.martyn@swosu.edu Office Number: CPP 205-B
Phone Number: 580-774-3114

TEACHING: BASIC COURSES

CHEM 1203 Gen Chem I
CHEM 1252 Gen Chem I Lab
CHEM 1303 Gen Chem II
CHEM 1352 Gen Chem II Lab

TEACHING: ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

CHEM 3013/3015 Org Chem I
CHEM 3111/3015L Org Chem I Lab
CHEM 4113/4115 Org Chem II
CHEM 4021/4115L Org Chem II Lab
CHEM 4013 Materials Chemistry

OTHER ACTIVITIES

AUG 2021-PRESENT
Chemistry Club Sponsor

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Palwai, Naveen R.; Martyn, David E.; Neves, Luis F. F.; Tan, Yongqiang; Resasco, Daniel E.; Harrison, Roger G. “Retention of Biological Activity and Near-Infrared Absorbance Upon Adsorption of Horseradish Peroxidase on Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes” Nanotechnology, 2007, 18, 235601/1-235601/5.

Halterman, Ronald L.; Pan, Xingang; Martyn, David E.; Moore, Jason L.; Long, Andrew T., “Conformational Interconversions in [2]Catenanes Containing a Wide Rigid Bis(p-benzyl)methyl Spacer” Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2007, 72, 6454-6458.

Halterman, Ronald L.; Martyn, David E. “Translational Isomerizations in [2]Catenanes with Unsymmetrically Substituted Resorcinol-Based Tethers” Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2007, 72, 7841-7848.

Halterman, R.L., Martyn, D.E., Pan, X., Ha, D.B., Frow, M., Haessig, K. “Path Selection for Conformational Interconversions in [2]Catenanes” Organic Letters, 2006, 8, 2119-2121.