03/15/2023
By Kwok Fan Chow

The Kennedy College of Science, Department of Chemistry, invites you to attend a dissertation defense by Yuqing Cozzens entitled “Functionalization of Gold and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles with Thiol-Containing Biomolecules and Polymers.” The defense will be held in Olney Hall, Room 518, on Friday, March 31, at 1:30 p.m.

Committee Chair: Prof. James Whitten, Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Committee Members:

  • Prof. Mingdi Yan, Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Prof. Marina Ruths, Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Prof. Yuyu Sun, Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Abstract:
Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have been modified using thiol-containing biopolymers and biomolecules. Thiol containing poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) functionalized Au NPs were synthesized, characterized and demonstrated to have application as light-activated chemical sensors. L-cysteine, cysteamine and PNIPAM functionalized ZnO NPs have also been synthesized and characterized. Photoluminescence changes in the ZnO NPs were observed, and this work potentially has applications for biosensing.

All interested students and faculty members are invited to attend.