Quaternary Ammonium Cation Dendron PDMS Hybrid Triblock Copolymers: Synthesis, Characterization, Behavior and Functional Use as Surface-Active Antimicrobial Additives
Speaker: Monica Marks
Date: Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Time: 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Abstract
This presentation will explore quaternary ammonium cation (QAC) dendron-linear PDMS hybrid triblock copolymers and their potential use as surface-active, antimicrobial macromolecular additives in silicone materials. Novel aspects of their convergent synthesis will be detailed including the use of lithium carboxylate QAC zwitterions as small molecule building blocks capable of direct esterification, as well as the use of non-polar/polar aprotic reaction solvent binaries to achieve complete copper catalyzed azide-alkyne “click” coupling between the amphiphilic macromolecular starting materials. Physical behavior of the dendron-PDMS hybrids will be briefly discussed as well as several useful characterization methods. Solution antimicrobial activity of the independently synthesized QAC dendrons against gram positive bacteria, gram negative bacteria and yeast will be presented. Lastly, preliminary results of the dendron-linear hybrids incorporated as additives in a Pt-cure Sylgard 184 matrix will be included along with insight into the future direction of this research.
Bio
Monica Marks is a Ph.D. candidate in Materials Science and Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. Her research is on antimicrobial silicone and using macromolecular architecture to control silicone surface behavior. Monica served as a Graduate Partner for the Center for the Study of Women, Science and Technology under Dr. Mary Lynn Realff and Dr. Carol Colatrella for 6 years where she managed a weekly after-school program called Girls Excelling in Math and Science (GEMS). At GEMS, Monica designed hundreds of STEM activities. Monica also served as a science fair mentor and judge at the Atlanta Girls School. At Georgia Institute of Technology, Monica worked with a team of students to develop the proposal for an app called GT Consent, designed to act as the ultimate victim advocate for student survivors of sexual violence. She hopes to work with undergraduate students to make the app and incorporate it into Georgia Tech as a method of inducing permanent cultural change. Monica is passionate about STEM and passionate about making STEM safer and more inclusive for all people.
mary.bunde@nianet.org