Project Info


Polymers from dye molecules

Daniel Knauss | dknauss@mines.edu

The project is to investigate the synthesis of new conjugated polymers containing known organic dye structures. The polymers will investigate a new method of preparation of unique organic polymers that have the potential for a variety of applications in semiconductor areas including photovoltaics. The goals of the project will be to synthesize new monomers and polymers through organic chemistry research and examine the properties of the resulting molecules.

This is a new project with few resources to provide insight. The student will be doing reactions by nucleophilic aromatic substitution and can investigate that reaction mechanism and techniques.

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Student Preparation


Qualifications

Completion of organic chemistry classes, CHGN221, 222, 223 and polymer chemistry courses CHGN430 or CBEN415.

Student is required to attend basic lab safety training offered by Environmental Health and Safety at Mines.

Time Commitment

6-10 hours/month

Skills/Techniques Gained

The student will gain organic chemistry laboratory skills and be able to complete physical chemistry analysis techniques including nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography,FTIR spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and electrochemistry techniques.

Mentoring Plan

The student will work closely with the faculty mentor in the laboratory, first by shadowing and then through more independent work as training continues. Additional mentoring by the group of graduate students will also be done.