Research Highlights
Photopolymerization of Monomer-Containing Deep Eutectic Solvents
The kinetics of photopolymerization in deep eutectic solvents (DESs) is investigated
through RT‐FTIR. The systems of this study are choline chloride DESs made of acrylic
acid and methacrylic acid (DES monomers) and a nonreactive analog isobutyric acid.
Analysis of the evolution of conversion indicates dramatic increase in polymerization
rate when comparing the polymerization of the DES monomers to pure monomer polymerization.
A significant increase in polymerization rate is also seen in the systems that include
a methyl ester derivative of the hydrogen bond donor monomer in a nonpolymerizable
DES.
PROBING ELECTRON SPINS IN ENZYMES BIOSYNTHESIS
MCD and EPR probing of the nitrogenase M cluster precursors electron spins dynamics
suggests new mechanisms of enzymes biosynthesis and substrate binding. Additional
ongoing ultrafast electron-scale investigations are carried out to get better understanding
of such mechanisms.
Tunable surface properties for microfluidics prepared with simple, thiol-acrylate chemistry
Novel, cost-efficient bulk modified thiol-acrylate microfluidic materials with wide
range of highly stable hydrophilic surfaces (11° to 85°) prepared without expensive
and sophisticated techniques within less than 24 h at room temperature and ambient
pressure.
Cationic Cobalt(II) Bisphosphine Hydroformylation Catalyst
Hydroformylation is one of the highest-volume homogeneously catalyzed industrial processes today. One segment of the market deals with unreactive alkenes that require the most active cobalt or rhodium-based catalysts that need high pressures (> 200 atm) to prevent decomposition of the catalysts. A new class of cationic cobalt bisphosphine hydroformylation catalysts exhibit exceptional activity under medium pressure conditions and remarkable stability with respect to cobalt-induced phosphine degradation reactions or decomposition to cobalt metal.
FRONTAL POLYMERIZATION
The capacity of frontal polymerization as a coating strategy for wood substrates was studied. Results indicate resin viscosity and film thickness critically affect the qualitative and quantitative propagation of the thermal front resulting in the formation of the coating.
Stabilization of electrocatalysts
Fighting deactivation: Classical and emerging strategies for efficient stabilization
of molecular electrocatalysts.
News and Events
Tuo Wang Receives DOE Funding for EFRC
Chemistry Instructor Receives Teaching Award
Chemistry Senior Accepted into Graduate Program at Columbia University
Video Highlight
Video tour of the instruments, resources, and technologies available in the Department of Chemistry. To view more videos, visit the LSU Chemistry Youtube Channel.
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