Polymer Synthesis

Syllabus

Basic Concepts – Polymer Nomenclature

Classification of polymers

Polymer Microstructure: Monomer architecture, orientation, tacticity, isomers

Average molecular weights – Properties

Size and shape of macromolecules

Types of polymerization reactions

Condensation or step-growth polymerization

• Type of step reactions
• Molecular weight and polydispersity
• Kinetics of condensation polymerization
• Examples
• Industrial methods of condensation polymerization

Addition of Chain-growth Polymerization

• Free-radical polymerization
• Mechanism of free-radical polymerization
• Molecular weight and polydispersity
• Kinetics of free-radical polymerization
• Examples
• Industrial methods of free-radical polymerization
• Copolymerization
• Copolymerization Kinetics

Anionic Polymerization

• Mechanism of anionic polymerization
• Molecular weight and polydispersity
• Kinetics of anionic polymerization
• Macromolecular architectures accessible via anionic polymerization

Group Transfer Polymerization

Cationic Polymerization

• Mechanism of cationic polymerization
• Molecular weight and polydispersity
• Kinetics of cationic polymerization

Polymer modification reactions

Polymer Characterization

• Determination of molecular weight and molecular weight distribution
• Determination of polymer composition
• Determination of polymer tacticity

Learning Outcomes

In this course the basic polymerization methods used in polymer synthesis are described. The mechanisms of the polymerisation methods and the kinetics of the reactions are discussed in detail. The effect of the reaction kinetics on the reaction rate and the polymer characteristics are also discussed. Finally, the basic macromolecular characterization techniques are presented. The students choose contemporary research topics in polymer synthesis for presentation (Project-Compulsory).

The learning objectives of the course are the following:

• Understanding the effect of the polymerization method on the polymer characteristics.
• Consolidate the basic principles of the polymerization kinetics and be able to predict the macromolecular characteristics.
• Familiarize the students with the macromolecular characterization techniques
• Gain experience in studying the international scientific literature and present scientific topics

Recommended Bibliography

1. Allcock, H.R.; Lampe, F.W. Contemporary Polymer Chemistry, 2nd ed., Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, 1990.
2. Hiemenz, P.C. Polymer Chemistry: The Basic Concepts, Marcel Dekker, NY, 1984.
3. Young, R.J.; Lovell, P.A. Introduction to Polymers, 2nd ed., Chapman & Hall, 1996.
4. Stevens, M.P. Polymer Chemistry: An Introduction, 2nd ed., Oxford Univ. Press, 1990.

Additional bibliography

1. Brandrup, J. and Immergut, E.H., eds., Polymer Handbook, 3rd ed., John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1989.
2. Odian, G. Principles of Polymerization, 3rd ed., John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1991.
3. Rempp, P.; Merill, E.W. Polymer Synthesis, 2nd ed., Huthig & Wepf, Basel, 1991.
4. Cowie, L.M.G. Polymers: Chemistry and Physics of Modern Materials, 2nd ed., Chapman & Hall, Padstow, Cornwall, UK, 1998.
5. Flory, P.J. Principles of Polymer Chemistry, Ithaca, HY, Cornell University Press, 1953.
6. Seymour, Raymond B. and Carraher, Charles E., Giant Molecules, JohnWiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 1990.

In Greek :

1. Σιμιτζή, Ι. Χρ. Επιστήμη Πολυμερών, Έκδοση Εθνικού Μετσοβείου Πολυτεχνείου, Αθήνα, 1994.
2. Παναγιώτου Κ. Επιστήμη και Τεχνολογία Πολυμερών, Εκδόσεις Πήγασος2000, Θεσσαλονίκη, 1996.

Related academic journals

1. Macromolecules, American Chemical Society
2. Polymer Chemistry, Royal Society of Chemistry
3. Langmuir, American Chemical Society
4. Chemistry of Materials, American Chemical Society
5. Biomacromolecules, American Chemical Society
6. Advanced Materials, Wiley
7. Advances in Polymer Science, Springer-Verlag
8. Polymer, Elsevier
9. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Elsevier
10. Journal of Material Chemistry, Royal Society of Chemistry
11. Journal of the American Chemical Society, American Chemical Society
12. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Wiley