02/12/2025
By Danielle Fretwell
Candidate Name: Dügah Arslan
Degree: Doctoral
Defense Date: Thursday, February 20th, 2025
Time: 10 a.m.-Noon
Location: Southwick Hall, Room 240
Committee:
Advisor: Nese Orbey, Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell
Committee Members*
Carl Lawton, Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell
Zhiyong Gu, Professor, Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell
Ravi Mosurkal, Co-Director HEROES, Center for Advanced Materials, CCDC Soldier Center
Ertan Agar, Associate Professor, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell
Brief Abstract:
This proposal consists of two sections. The first focuses on imparting antimicrobial (AM) and insect repellent (IR) agents onto fabrics to enhance durability. The second aims to improve lithium storage in carbon films for lithium-ion battery (LIB) applications.
The first section highlights the potential of covalently bonded IR and AM coatings for protective textiles with durable performance. Combining IR and AM agents on textiles offers a promising solution to global microbial and viral threats, yet ensuring their durable attachment remains a challenge. Building on our previous work with IR-containing microcapsules, we introduce a method for covalently bonding these microcapsules and AM agents onto hyperbranched polyethyleneimine (PEI)-functionalized nylon-cotton (NyCo) fabric, enhancing protection against viral and microbial pathogens. Geraniol, an insect-repelling essential oil, is encapsulated in a gelatin/gum arabic shell for sustained release. AM functionality is achieved by covalently attaching polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) via a cyanuric chloride-based reactive dyeing technique. This work was conducted in collaboration with Dr. Ruogu Tang, a former PhD student of Dr. Yuyu Sun. Successful bonding was confirmed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and a ninhydrin assay. Optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyzed the morphology of microcapsules and coated fabrics. Insect repellency was assessed using a total protection time assay, while wash durability was evaluated over four cycles, showing strong retention. Direct-contact antimicrobial tests demonstrated at least 99% reduction in Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Insect repellency varied with geraniol content, lasting 5–13 days.
The second section focuses on fabricating disordered carbon films from poly(para-phenylene) (PPP), a rigid-rod aromatic polymer with exceptional physical properties and high lithium storage capacity. PPP’s insolubility and rigidity have historically limited synthesis and processing. To overcome these challenges, Dr. Orbey and Dr. Lawton developed a novel processable precursor approach, beginning with the enzymatic transformation of benzene into pre-PPP, which can be processed into films before heat treatment to form PPP. Carbonization at high temperatures yields disordered carbon films, ideal for LIB anodes. PPP is synthesized by Dr. Carl Lawton using this method, which was also applied by former PhD student Dr. Burcin Ikizer. In this project, the resulting carbonized PPP films are being developed as LIB anode materials due to their high theoretical lithium storage capacity. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and FTIR ensure quality and consistency, while electrochemical tests—including cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronopotentiometry (CP), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)—will evaluate conductivity, lithium storage, and overall performance. These electrochemical tests will be conducted in collaboration with Dr. Ertan Agar’s group. PPP’s high lithium storage capacity offers potential for improving LIB energy density and efficiency, while using benzene as a precursor enhances sustainability and cost-effectiveness. This method addresses scalability and performance challenges in traditional graphite anodes, potentially paving the way for next-generation LIBs with enhanced capacity.