Please consider attending the following: MATERIALS ENGINEERING SEMINAR "Application of Cellulose Nanocrystals (CNCs) Coating on Polymers-A Pathway for Enhancement of Barrier Properties of Polymers" By Md Nuruddin Purdue MSE Ph.D. Preliminary Exam Advisors: Professor John Howarter and Professor Jeffrey Youngblood ABSTRACT Unlike metals and glass, polymers are permeable to gases and organic vapors to some extent. Polymer barrier properties influence the suitability of polymers for specific applications such as protective coatings, membrane separation processes, and packaging applications. For packaging applications, it is important for polymers to have good barrier properties to prevent the transportation of water, oxygen, carbon dioxide and organic vapor. In this study, a better understanding of the transportation mechanism of gases through polymers, and the factors affecting barrier properties were discussed. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are considered a potential nanomaterial for next-generation packaging products due to their biodegradability, non-petroleum based sources, high crystallinity, and mechanical properties. The objective was to utilize CNC coating (controlling the maximum alignment of CNCs) on polymers to enhance the gas barrier properties of polymers. Preliminary results showed that the alignment of CNCs coating enhanced the gas (O2, CO2 and water vapor) barrier property of the polymers. This suggests that aligned CNCs coatings on polymers have improved barrier properties over self-organized coatings for packaging applications. Date: Friday, January 26, 2018 Time: 10:30 A.M. Place: ARMS 1021