The instructor first describes typical higher order structure formation mechanisms that occur within polymer materials, and gives a detailed explanation of the structure formation principles based on thermodynamics. The instructor then explains the complicated higher order structures derived from multiple structure formation factors as well as structure formation mechanisms, all based on the newest research findings. Finally, students are introduced to examples of applying these higher order structure formations to property control of actual polymer materials.
Based on a variety of factors within polymer materials, a variety of higher order structures are formed, which control the properties and features of the material. By applying the various knowledge related to polymer science acquired up to this point, students gain an understanding of these structure formation principles, which is essential for basic research on polymer structure, and is useful in applied research that aims to create new polymer materials.
At the end of this course, students will get the knowledge about the various mechanisms of morphology formation in polymer systems. That is, they will be able to explain and/or understand
1) morphology formation mechanism of liquid-liquid phase separation (spinodal decomposition, nucleation & growth, and so on)
2) crystallization mechanism and crystalline morphology (lamellar structure, spherulite, and so on)
3) mechanisms of liquid crystallization and gelation
4) cooperative morphology formation by a combined effect of these factors
Morphology. Morphology Formation, Liquid-liquid Phase Separation, Crystallization, Cooperative Morphology Formation
✔ Specialist skills | Intercultural skills | Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
The detailed contents of this course will be shown using blackboards or powerpoint slides on a projector.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Morphology and morphology formation in polymer systems - Introduction | Understand the morphology and morphology formation in polymer systems. |
Class 2 | Morphology formation mechanism by liquid-liquid phase separation (1) Early stage | Understand the morphology formation mechanism of early stage of liquid-liquid phase separation (spindle decomposition, nucleation & growth). |
Class 3 | Morphology formation mechanism by liquid-liquid phase separation (2) Late stage | Understand the morphology formation mechanism of late stage of liquid-liquid phase separation (coarsening mechanism). |
Class 4 | Morphology formation mechanism by crystallization | Understand the crystalline morphology (lamellar structure, spherulite, and so on) and morphology formation mechanism by polymer crystallization. |
Class 5 | Morphology formation mechanism by other factors | Understand the morphology formation mechanism in polymer systems by other factors (liquid crystallization, gelation, and so on). |
Class 6 | Cooperative mechanism of morphology formation in polymer systems (1) multi-component systems | Understand the cooperative mechanism of morphology formation such as liquid-liquid phase separation + crystallization. (1) Multi-component polymer systems. |
Class 7 | Cooperative mechanism of morphology formation in polymer systems (2) block copolymers | Understand the cooperative mechanism of morphology formation such as microphone separation + crystallization. (2) Block copolymers. |
Class 8 | Application of morphology formation to polymer materials | Understand the practical application of these morphology formation mechanisms to polymer materials. |
None
References: 1. The Society of Polymer Science Ed., " Fundamental Polymer Science", Tokyo Kagaku Dojin, 2006
2. Y, Matsushita et. al., "Morphology and properties of polymer systems", Kodansha Ltd, 2013.
Students are evaluated based on reports submitted during class.
None, but it is desirable to have a knowledge of polymer physics.