Standard syllabus
Polymer chemistry · Undergraduate · Chemistry
Topics
Polymer fundamentals
- Definitions: monomer, oligomer, polymer, macromolecule
- Average molecular weights: Mn, Mw, polydispersity index
- Polymer architecture: linear, branched, cross-linked, network
- Tacticity: isotactic, syndiotactic, atactic
- Copolymers: random, alternating, block, graft
- Thermodynamics of polymer solutions
- Flory–Huggins theory (introduction)
- Theta conditions and coil dimensions
- Rubber elasticity and entropic elasticity
- Viscoelasticity: creep, stress relaxation, dynamic mechanical analysis
Polymerization mechanisms
- Step-growth (condensation) polymerization
- Carothers equation and gel point
- Chain-growth (addition) polymerization
- Free-radical polymerization: initiation, propagation, termination
- Radical inhibitors and retarders
- Ionic polymerization: anionic and cationic
- Living polymerizations: ATRP, RAFT, NMP (overview)
- Ring-opening polymerization
- Coordination polymerization: Ziegler–Natta, metallocene catalysts
- Copolymerization: reactivity ratios and Mayo–Lewis equation
Polymer properties and transitions
- Glass transition temperature: factors affecting Tg
- Crystallinity and melting temperature
- Factors affecting crystallization rate
- Amorphous vs semicrystalline morphology
- Polymer blends and compatibilization
- Plasticizers and additives
- Degradation: thermal, oxidative, photolytic, hydrolytic
- Mechanical properties: tensile, impact, fatigue
- Rheology of polymer melts and solutions
- Structure–property design principles
Characterization methods
- Size-exclusion chromatography (GPC/SEC)
- Light scattering for molecular weight
- Viscometry and intrinsic viscosity
- Differential scanning calorimetry for Tg and Tm
- Thermogravimetric analysis for thermal stability
- IR and NMR spectroscopy of polymers
- X-ray diffraction for crystallinity
- Microscopy: optical and electron microscopy of morphology
- Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA)
- Spectroscopic identification of polymer types
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