SCIART: Modified POSS Polymers for Stone ConservationDerek L. Patton, University of Southern Mississippi, DMR 1041853

The aim of this project is to develop hybrid polymer systems for stone conservation and consolidation. This research program focuses on creating and understanding new stone treatments for cultural heritage items based on modified thiol-ene photopolymer networks.

The current highlight focuses on exploiting the biomimetic adhesive and hydrogen-bonding properties of dopamine-functionalized polymer networks to improve interfacial interactions with stone surfaces. Dopamine is a catecholamine that serves dual functions in natural adhesives as cross-linking agents and as adsorptive moieties. Catechols have been shown to adsorb strongly to many different surfaces, including polymer, metal, and inorganic materials. Here, we demonstrate the ability to tailor the thermal and mechanical properties of thiol-ene photopolymer networks by incorporating varying amounts of dopamine acrylamide in the network structure. These materials show improved adhesion to a broad variety of substrate surfaces.

Sparks, B.; Hoff, E.; Hayes, L. Patton, D. Chem. Mater. 2012, Submitted.Sparks, B.; Kuchera, T.; Richardson, A.; Savin, D.; Hait, S.; Lichtenhan, J.; Striegel, M.; Patton, D. J. Mater. Chem. 2012, 22, 3817-3824.Sparks, B.; Kuchera, T.; Richardson, A.; Savin, D.; Hait, S.; Lichtenhan, J.; Striegel, M.; Patton, D. RadTech Report 2012, 2, 39-42.

Adhesion strength of the DAm-APE-PETMP films as function of DAm content.(■) Glass; (●) Aluminum; (▲) Steel

The marble substrate fails during the pull-off adhesion test indicating strong adhesion over all thiol-ene compoisitions

• This SCIART project provides students with an opportunity to work in collaboration with the National Center for Preservation Training & Technology (NCPTT) and Hybrid Plastics, Inc. via site visits

• 2 Ph.D. students and 3 undergraduate students have received training in polymer synthesis, photopolymerization, and structure/property analysis as it relates to polymers for stone treatments and consolidants.

• The Patton Group hosted LaTonya Hayes (Alcorn State University) as an Alliance for Graduate Education in Mississippi (AGEM) REU Student during Summer 2012. LaTonya gained hands-on research experience in the synthesis of photo-curable polymer networks.

• Graduate student Bradley Sparks won a RadTech Experience Travel Award, which provided an opportunity to attend the RadTech National Meeting in Chicago.

• Graduate student Bradley Sparks was recognized as a 2012 Best Student Oral Presentation Finalist at the 2012 Waterborne Symposium, New Orleans.

University/Industry/Federal Gov’t Partners

SCIART: Modified POSS Polymers for Stone ConservationDerek L. Patton, University of Southern Mississippi, DMR 1041853

Ph.D. student Bradley Sparks explains the results of adhesion experiments involving photopolymerized thiol-ene polymer films to AGEM REU student LaTonya Hayes