Category
Poster - Theoretical Proposal
Description
This proposal furthers the research of Vanessa Rosciardi et al. who developed a poly(vinyl)-alcohol/ rice starch (PVA/RS) complex using cryogel synthesis in order to determine the ability of rice starch to form a larger polymer with PVA and to test the resulting gel in its effectiveness in cleaning artifacts. Rice starch, containing the biopolymers amylose and amylopectin, was chosen as rice is accessible worldwide, while PVA was chosen as the most produced water-soluble polymer. The purpose of their research was to understand if PVA/RS complexes would be a feasible and greener alternative to synthetic gels which pose environmental risk as well as risks to the conservator. The goal of this proposal is (1) to determine if an effective PVA complex can be made with other starch alternatives, and (2) if such a complex could be synthesized, how to optimize it through the addition of retained surfactants. Following the prototype of Rosciardi et al., cryogels containing different ratios of starch to PVA can be synthesized in water at 98°C and then alternatively frozen at -20°C and thawed at 25°C. The resulting crystalline polymer chains can be stored in water to allow the non-complexed polymeric fraction to leave the 3D structure. The cryogels will be analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to confirm that a new polymer did or did not form by the combination of PVA and starch. Furthermore, the gels will be tested against mock artifacts to demonstrate their effectiveness.
Optimal PVA/Starch Complex for Cryogel Development Intended for Artifact Cleaning
Poster - Theoretical Proposal
This proposal furthers the research of Vanessa Rosciardi et al. who developed a poly(vinyl)-alcohol/ rice starch (PVA/RS) complex using cryogel synthesis in order to determine the ability of rice starch to form a larger polymer with PVA and to test the resulting gel in its effectiveness in cleaning artifacts. Rice starch, containing the biopolymers amylose and amylopectin, was chosen as rice is accessible worldwide, while PVA was chosen as the most produced water-soluble polymer. The purpose of their research was to understand if PVA/RS complexes would be a feasible and greener alternative to synthetic gels which pose environmental risk as well as risks to the conservator. The goal of this proposal is (1) to determine if an effective PVA complex can be made with other starch alternatives, and (2) if such a complex could be synthesized, how to optimize it through the addition of retained surfactants. Following the prototype of Rosciardi et al., cryogels containing different ratios of starch to PVA can be synthesized in water at 98°C and then alternatively frozen at -20°C and thawed at 25°C. The resulting crystalline polymer chains can be stored in water to allow the non-complexed polymeric fraction to leave the 3D structure. The cryogels will be analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to confirm that a new polymer did or did not form by the combination of PVA and starch. Furthermore, the gels will be tested against mock artifacts to demonstrate their effectiveness.
Comments
Undergraduate - 3rd Place Award Winner