Polymer Synthesis

Syllabus

• Basic concepts – Polymer nomenclature
• Classification of polymers
• Polymer microstructure: monomer architecture, orientation, orderliness, isomerism
• Average molecular weights – Properties
• Size and shape of macromolecules
• Types of polymerisation reactions
• Gradual polymerisation reactions
  • Types of stepwise reactions
  • Molecular weight and polydispersity
  • Kinetics of step reactions
  • Examples
  • Industrial methods of gradual polymerisation
• Unsolvent polymerisation reactions
  • Free radical polymerisation
  • Free radical mechanism
  • Molecular weight and polydispersion
  • Free radical polymerisation kinetics
  • Examples
  • Industrial free radical polymerisation methods
  • Copolymerization
  • Copolymerisation kinetics
• Antionic polymerisation
  • Mechanism of anionic polymerisation
  • Molecular weight and polydispersion
  • Anionic polymerisation kinetics
  • Macromolecular architecture by anionic polymerisation
• Group transfer polymerization
• Cationic polymerisation
  • Mechanism of cationic polymerisation
  • Molecular weight and polydispersity
  • Cationic polymerisation kinetics
• Polymer modification reactions
• Characterisation of macromolecules
  • Determination of molecular weights and polydispersity
  • Determination of composition
  • Tactical determination

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