CHEM 770/7700 - Introduction to Polymer Science

Description

1. Basic definitions: Monomers, polymers, polymerization reactions. Polymer structure, nomenclature. Molecular weight distributions and average molecular weights.
2. Chain conformations: End-to-end distance, radius of gyration, molecular dimensions, excluded volume.
3. Molecular weight measurements: Colligative properties, osmometry, light scattering, viscosity, gel permeation chromatography.
4. Step-growth polymerization. Types of reactions. Reactivity, kinetics. Molecular weight distribution and control, branching and cross-linking. Polymerization equilibria. Preparation of polyesters, polycarbonates, polyamides.
5. Radical chain polymerization. Types of polymerization reactions (bulk, solution, heterogeneous). Polymerization kinetics and energetics, molecular weight distribution.
6. “Living” radical polymerization reactions. Preparation of polystyrene and vinyl polymers.
7. Mechanical properties. Modulus and glass transition temperature, structure-property correlations. Viscoelasticity, stress relaxation, dynamic mechanical properties, mechanical models.
8. (If time allows) Thermodynamics of polymer solutions and mixtures (blends). Flory-Huggins theory and solubility parameters. Phase separation in block copolymers and polymer blends. Polymer self-assembly.