Lectures |
Topic/s |
Sub-Topics |
1-3 |
Introduction
|
Definitions, origin, nomenclature, classification of macromolecules; molecular weight (MW) and its distribution; thermal transitions; thermodynamics of polymerization. |
4-7 |
Step Polymerization |
Reactivity of functional groups; kinetics; molecular weight in open and closed system - Carother’s equation; stoichiometric control of MW; cyclization vs. linear polymerization, cross-linking and gel point; process condition; step-copolymerization, examples of step polymers. |
8-13 |
Radical Chain Polymerization
|
Nature of chain polymerization and its comparison with step polymerization; radical vs. ionic polymerizations; structural arrangements of monomer units; kinetics of chain polymerization; molecular weight and its distribution; chain transfer, inhibition, retardation, auto-acceleration; energetic characteristics; techniques of radical polymerization – bulk, solution, emulsion, suspension polymerization; examples of polymers made by radical chain polymerization. |
14 |
Living radical polymerization |
Theory; nitroxide-mediated polymerization (NMP); atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP); radical addition-fragmentation transfer (RAFT); others. |
15-16 |
Ionic chain polymerization
|
Comparison of radical and ionic polymerizations; cationic polymerizations - kinetics, mechanism; anionic polymerization - kinetics, mechanism; living anionic polymerization; examples. |
17-18 |
Chain co-polymerization
|
General considerations; types of copolymers, copolymer compositions, reactivity ratio; radical and ionic copolymerizations; examples. |
19-21 |
Stereoregular polymerization
|
Origin and types of stereoisomerism in polymers; factors influencing stereoregulation; properties of stereoregular polymers; stereospecific ionic polymerizations; coordination polymerization; Ziegler-Natta polymerization, metallocene polymerization; examples |
22 |
Other polymerization processes
|
Ring opening polymerization; group transfer polymerization; metathesis polymerization, etc. |
23-25 |
Polymers in solution
|
Thermodynamics of polymer solutions; Flory-Huggins theory, theta conditions; solubility parameters; fractionation of macromolecules |
26-27 |
Chain dimensions
|
Freely joined chain; effect of geometric and volume restrictions; frictional properties of macromolecules in dilute solution. |
28-33 |
Characterization of macromolecules
|
Determination of molecular weight - methods for measuring number average, weight average, viscosity average MW; gel permeation chromatography; spectroscopic techniques to determine chemical composition and molecular microstructure. |
34-36 |
Reaction of macromolecules
|
Reactions with polyolefins, polyenes, pendant groups; polymer degradation - thermal degradation, degradation by catalyst residues, degradation by end groups; mechanism of stabilization - antioxidants and heat stabilizers, catalyst quenchers, end-capping; |
37-38 |
Polymer properties and supermolecular structure
|
Properties of solid polymers, amorphous and crystalline phases of polymers, structure-property relationship. |
39 |
Special topics/ Newer topics
|
Naturally occurring polymers, biodegradable, biosynthesis, polymers from bio/renewable resources. |
40 |
Summary
|
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