CH3F6-15 Polymer and Colloid Science
Introductory description
N/A
Module aims
The principle module aims are to give students some deeper understanding in key concepts of polymer chemistry, polymer physics, and colloid science. A choice have been made to discuss the chemistry and physics of polyethylene and polypropylene (global dominant polymer products), to elaborate on both controlled and reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) and how this has lead to a renaissance in the fabrication of copolymers with control of monomer sequence and chain architecture. The use of amphiphilic copolymers will be discussed by means of assembly in solution, and bulk. The underlying physics will be discussed. Moreover, thermodynamics of mixing will be discussed with emphasis on the Flory-Huggins lattice based theory. Colloids will be introduced and an emphasis is made on emulsion and mini-emulsion polymerization processes to fabricate colloidal particles. The mechanisms of these processes will be discussed in depth. The basic physics of colloidal motion will be discussed, with a highlight on active matter.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
This module consists of 5 individual blocks. Each block is delivered over a 2 week period, with 6 contact hours per block (lectures/workshops).
An outline for the syllabus is given below:
BLOCK 1: ON POLYMERIZATION PROCESSES OF ALKENES: ZIEGLER NATTA METALLOCENE, ROMP, AND ADMET.
In this block we will discuss the importance of ethylene/propylene based polymers, their physical
and mechanical properties (crystallization structures, moduli, processing) based on their
monomer sequence and tacticity. The latter concepts will be discussed. Ziegler Natta
polymerization (Nobel Prize) will be taught from a historical perspective, with comments on
kinetics and mechanism of this polymerization. Metallocene polymerization will be touched upon
(the mechanism will be discussed in the inorganic core module) Ring opening metathesis (Nobel
prize) including acyclic diene metathesis polymerization will be discussed from a mechanistic
viewpoint.
BLOCK 2: ON CONTROLLED AND REVERSIBLE DEACTIVATION RADICAL POLYMERIZATION (RDRP)
In this block the concept of living polymerization and its characteristics will be discussed. How to
achieve a living polymerization from a mechanistic viewpoint. Dormant and active chains.
Activation through covalent bond cleavage vs. degenerative chain transfer. Side reactions like
disproportionation/transfer and how to use this to your benefit CCTP. The concept of control of
propagation; block and gradient copolymers. Introduce main concepts of Nitroxide mediated,
ATRP-SET LRP and RAFT. Place all in historic context, discuss kinetics, opportunities and
restrictions.
BLOCK 3: ON PHASE BEHAVIOR OF (BLOCK)COPOLYMERS
In this block we will discuss:
Assembly of amphiphilic macromolecules: lyophilic/lyophobic behavior, aggregation, critical
aggregation concentration, cluster size, packing parameter, micelles, cylinders/rods,
vesicles/polymersomes . Examples of interesting polymer micelles, cylinders, and polymersomes.
Thermodynamics of mixing: entropy of binary mixing, Helmholtz free energy of binary mixing,
Flory interaction parameter, equilibrium and stability, phase diagrams of mixing, LCST/UCST
behavior for polymer solutions and polymer melts.
Phase behavior of blockcopolymers in bulk and thin films. Phase diagram of blockcopolymer
melts. Influence of addition of homopolymer on morphology. How does phase separation in thin
films differ?
BLOCK 4 : ON (MINI-)EMULSION POLYMERIZATION
In this block we will discuss
- Introduction to colloids: what is a colloid? Phases and colloidal systems. Specific
properties. Ancient colloids. The importance of surface area. Capillarity. Laplace pressure.
Variety of shapes. Lyophilic vs. lyophobic colloids. - Emulsion polymerization: what is an emulsion polymerization and how does it differ from
a suspension polymerization, dispersion polymerization, precipitation polymerization, and miniemulsion polymerization? A brief history of emulsion polymerization. Pro’s and con’s of emulsion polymerization vs. bulk/solution polymerization. A typical recipe. · Mechanistic understanding of Emulsion Polymerization: rate of polymerization, particle formation (micellar and homogeneous nucleation), particle growth, particle swelling, diffusion limitation/starved conditions, compartmentalization, zero-one vs. pseudo bulk polymerization kinetics, Trommsdorf effect. · Miniemulsion polymerization: What is miniemulsion polymerization? Ostwald ripening, how to retard/arrest Ostwald ripening.
BLOCK 5 ON COLLOID MOTION AND INTRO TO COLLOID STABILITY In this block we will discuss: Motion of colloids: gravity, buoyancy, drag force (Newton/Rayleigh/Stokes), terminal velocity, Brownian motion, Osmotic pressure, Stokes Einstein (Smoluchowski/Langevin), Barometric height, Ballistic velocity, Propulsion on the micro-scale (Purcell) Colloidal stability: How to prolong the lifetime of a lyophobic colloid. Kinetics of coagulation.
Total contact hours 30 in the form of lectures with workshop components
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Provide students with a solid in depth basis of several (industrially) relevant key topics in polymer and colloid science
- Interlinks with other areas of science will be demonstrated (thermodynamics, kinetics, physics)
Indicative reading list
- Principles of Polymerization by George Odian, 4th Edition. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 4th
Edition edition (5 Mar 2004) ISBN-10: 0471274003 ISBN-13: 978-0471274001 - Polymer Chemistry, second edition by Paul C. Hiemenz and Timothy P. Lodge. Publisher:
CRC Press; 2 edition (15 Feb 2007) ISBN-10: 1574447793 ISBN-13: 978-1574447798 - Polymer Chemistry: an introduction by Malcolm P. Stevens. Publisher: OUP USA; 3 edition
(11 Feb 1999) ISBN-10: 0195124448 ISBN-13: 978-0195124446 - Polymer Physics by Michael Rubinstein and Ralph H. Colby. Publisher: OUP Oxford (26 Jun
- ISBN-10: 019852059X ISBN-13: 978-0198520597
- Polymer Colloids: a comprehensive introduction by Robert M. Fitch Publisher: Academic
Press (22 April 1997) ISBN-10: 0122577450 ISBN-13: 978-0122577451 - Chemistry and Technology of Emulsion Polymerisation, second edition. Edited by Alex M.
van Herk. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 2nd Edition edition (12 July 2013) ISBN-10: 1119953723 ISBN-13: 978-1119953722 - Intermolecular and Surface Forces: revised third edition by Jacob N. Israelachvili Publisher: Academic Press; 3 edition (22 July 2011) ISBN-10: 0123919274 ISBN-13: 978-0123919274
Interdisciplinary
e.g. co taught with another department or with an industry perspective, bridges two or more disciplinary concepts, ideas, etc.
Subject specific skills
Numeracy
Problem solving
Critical thinking
Transferable skills
Numeracy
Problem solving
Critical thinking
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 30 sessions of 1 hour (20%) |
| Practical classes | (0%) |
| Private study | 120 hours (80%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
Module has 5 blocks, runs over 10 weeks, each week 3 contact hours ( lectures with workshop components). Private study material does include e-book for colloid science part.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.
Assessment group B4
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-person Examination | 100% | No | |
|
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Feedback on assessment
Cohort level examination feedback provided via Moodle.
Pre-requisites
To take this module, you must have passed:
Courses
This module is Optional for:
- Year 4 of UCHA-F107 Undergraduate Master of Chemistry (with Intercalated Year)
-
UCHA-F109 Undergraduate Master of Chemistry (with International Placement)
- Year 3 of F109 MChem Chemistry (with International Placement)
- Year 3 of F111 MChem Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry (with International Placement)
-
UCHA-4M Undergraduate Master of Chemistry Variants
- Year 3 of F105 Chemistry
- Year 3 of F109 MChem Chemistry (with International Placement)
- Year 3 of F126 MChem Chemistry with Med Chem (with Prof Exp)
- Year 3 of F125 MChem Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry
- Year 3 of F106 MChem Chemistry with Professional Experience
- Year 4 of UCHA-F127 Undergraduate Master of Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry(with Intercalated Year)
This module is Option list A for:
-
UCHA-4 Undergraduate Chemistry (with Intercalated Year) Variants
- Year 4 of F101 Chemistry (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 4 of F122 Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry (with Intercalated Year)
-
UCHA-3 Undergraduate Chemistry 3 Year Variants
- Year 3 of F100 Chemistry
- Year 3 of F121 Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry
- Year 3 of UCHA-F110 Undergraduate Master of Chemistry (with Industrial Placement)
- Year 3 of UCHA-4M Undergraduate Master of Chemistry Variants