Academic catalogue

Degrees incorporating this pedagocial element :

• Master in Chemistry

Description

This course gives an overview of the polymer field from the synthesis of polymers to characterization, properties, and applications of synthetic and natural polymers. All major polymerization methods, their reaction mechanisms and kinetic aspects are considered: step growth polymerization, chain growth polymerization with ionic and radical variations, insertion polymerization. A lecture portion is integrated with a laboratory component, in which experiments are conducted that are directly connected to the class work. Analysis of  polymer solution properties and caracterization techniques are presented :  thermodynamics, polymer/solvent interactions, average molecular weight determination via osmometry, ligth scattering, viscosimetry and SEC.

This course is divided in two parts covering selected aspects of polymer chemistry and physical chemistry. The chemistry part aims to help students better understand contemporary polymer science focusing on syntheses and materials properties of polymers. It covers copolymer synthesis, discussing control of copolymer composition and relevant recent research such as controlled radical polymerization, supramolecular polymers and bio-based polymers. The course will also provide detailed information for polymerization techniques and polymer characterization tools.

Recommended prerequisite

Organic chemistry, physical-chemistry, basic knowledge of polymer chemistry and physical-chemistry

Targeted skills

Knowledge of the copolymerization methods, advanced polymerization methods, synthesis of supramolecular and biobased polymers, basement of thermo-mechanical properties of polymer and composites, introduction to more advanced properties and studies.

Bibliography

Details:
I. Synthesis of copolymers : statistical, block and graft copolymers
II. Synthesis of complex macromolecular architectures
III. Literature based mini-project : review on macromolecular engineering through click chemistry and controlled radical polymerization methods
IV. Supramolecular polymers : concept, synthesis and properties
V. Biobased polymers
VI. Application of NMR to the study of polymers
I. Bulk polymers : from simple model to dynamic mechanical analysis
II. Polymer Processing
III. The Rubber Elasticity
IV. Polymers and the colloidal state
V. Rigid polymers and mesomorphous phases, scattering techniques