This course focuses on the basics of polymer structure, especially 1. Shape and size of polymer chain, 2.Elasticity of polymer, 3.Polymer solutions, 4. Molecular weight, 5. Polymer crystal, 6. Polymer glass, 7. Copolymer. First, the relation between the structure and applications in the organic materials is explained.
When we use polymers as materials, the control of the physical properties is important. Therefore it is necessary to know the basic structure of polymers and control the structure for physical properties. It is desirable to understand the basics of the essence of polymer.
By the end of this course, students will be able to understand:
1)Structure from single chain to aggregate (bulk state) in polymer
2)Physicochemical mechanism of structure formation in polymer
3)Basics of mechanism that physical properties appear in polymeric materials
Random coil, Configuration, Conformation, Mean square of end-to-end distance, Mean square of radius of gyration, Freely joint chain, Freely rotating chain, Ideal chain, Gaussian chain, Entropy elasticity, Dilute solution, Semi-dilute solution, Concentrated solution, Excluded volume effect, Interaction parameter, Solubility parameter, Floy-Huggins equation, Molecular weight distribution, Number-average molecular weight, Weight-average molecular weight, Membrane Osmometry, Light scattering method, GPC, Single crystal, Folded chain crystal, Spherulite, Polarized optical microscope, Equilibrium melting point, Depression of melting poing, Kinetics of crystal growth, Glass transition
✔ Specialist skills | Intercultural skills | Communication skills | Critical thinking skills | ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
Based on PowerPoint slides, I push forward a lecture with questions. In addition, at the beginning of each class, the solution of the quiz (short test) in the previous class is reviewed. Towards the end of class, students are given a quiz related to the lecture given that day to solve.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Introdaucion: Characteristics of the structure and applications in the organic materials | Relation between structure (and size) of polymer chain and applications |
Class 2 | Structure of polymer chain: Configuration and conformation | Kinds of first order structure in polymer chain |
Class 3 | Structure of polymer chain: Shape and Size of single polymer chain | Derivation of size of random coil |
Class 4 | Structure of polymer chain: Structure of polymer chain in bulk | Size of random coil in bulk polymer |
Class 5 | Elasticity of polymer (Entropy elasticity) | Relation between structure of polymer chain and entropy elasticity |
Class 6 | Polymer solutions: Dilute, semi-dilute and concentrated solutions | Classification of polymer solution by concentration and its physical properties |
Class 7 | Polymer solutions: Thermodynamics of phase diagram | Derivation of free energy in polymer solution |
Class 8 | Polymer solutions: Phase separation | Characteristics of phase separation structure and its generation mechanism |
Class 9 | Polymer solutions: Molecular weight and its distribution | Kinds of averate molecular weight and its derivation |
Class 10 | Polymer solutions: Molecular weight measurements | Kinds of measurement method of average molecular weight and its principle |
Class 11 | Polymer crystal: Structure of polymer crystal | Crystal structure and observation method of polarized optical microscope |
Class 12 | Polymer crystal: Crystallization mechanism | Kinetics of crystallization |
Class 13 | Polymer glass: Amorphous structure of polymer | State of polymer glass and its characteristics |
Class 14 | Structure of other polymeric materials | Copolymer, liquid crystalline polymer etc. |
Class 15 | Manufacturing of polymeric materials | Examples of process from raw materials to products |
Copy of Power Point files (Materials used in class can be found on OCW-i)
Reference books: P.J.Floy, "Principles of Polymer Chemistry" (Cornell University Press)
Evaluation is carried out by quizzes of every time, some reports and a term-end examination.
No prerequisites are necessary.