Date Thesis Awarded
5-2019
Access Type
Honors Thesis -- Access Restricted On-Campus Only
Degree Name
Bachelors of Science (BS)
Department
Chemistry
Advisor
Tyler Meldrum
Committee Members
Carey Bagdassarian
Nathanael Kidwell
Robert Pike
Abstract
Many commonly used polymers are inherently flammable. Manufacturers have been able to make polymers more flame-resistant by incorporating additives in polymer matrices. Current testing methods of these materials are destructive. As a result, there is a lack of data that can characterize the long-term effects of thermal exposure on these materials. This study presents single-sided NMR as an alternative technique to characterize the physical properties of these materials before and after thermal exposure. From single-sided NMR, this study finds that it is possible to characterize the molecular behavior of flame-resistant polymers and that additives cause no significant physical change to the polymer matrix. This study also finds that single-sided NMR data can detect changes in the molecular behavior of these materials. This research emphasizes the use of single-sided NMR to study flame-resistant polymers and may prompt further study in fields such as firefighter health and safety.
Recommended Citation
Tsutsui, Anna, "Characterizing Flame-resistant Polymers using Single-sided NMR" (2019). Undergraduate Honors Theses. William & Mary. Paper 1324.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/honorstheses/1324
