Introductory description

This module aims to provide a detailed overview of the fundamental considerations and hypotheses of polymer chemistry ensuring that all students have a suitable background knowledge of the major synthetic methods and mechanisms as well as appropriate physical chemistry knowledge to excel in the more advanced aspects of the course. The material will focus on highlighting the importance of advanced polymer structures as well as comprehensive teaching of the all applicable polymer synthesis techniques.

Module web page

Module aims

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.

Introduction Lecture
Free Radical: Introduction/Emulsion polymerisation
Free Radical: Copolymers
Anionic & Cationic Living Polymerization
Condensation Polymerisation
Polymer Analysis, GPC/NMR
Ring opening polymerisation/biodegradable polymers
Ziegler Natta/ROMP
Metal mediated radical (ATRP/CCTP) polymerisation
RAFT/ Nitroxide mediated polymerisation

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Show an advanced knowledge of the technical terminology and definitions in polymer science.
• Show a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental polymerization techniques.
• Understand the detailed mechanism and kinetics of radical polymerization and discriminate between controlled/living polymerization techniques.
• Understand the hypotheses, kinetics and mechanism of step-growth polymerizations and Ziegler-Natta catalyzed reactions.
• Demonstrate the ability of practically synthesizing and characterizing a typical polymer.
• Be able to select appropriate polymerization methods to solve synthetic challenges

Indicative reading list

Graeme Moad&David Solomon, Chemistry of Radical Polymerization, 2nd ed., Elsevier 2006, ISBN 0-08-044286-2
George Odian, Principles of Polymerization, 4th ed., 2004, John Wiley&Sons Inc., ISBN 0-471-27400-3
Paul Hiemenz&Timothy Lodge, Polymer Chemistry 4th ed., 1984, Marcel Dekker Inc., ISBN 0-8247-7082-x
Krzysztof Matyjaszewski, Advances in Controlled/Living Radical Polymerization, ACS Symposium Series 854, ISBN 0-8412-38545
M. Stevens, Polymer Chemistry, 3rd ed., Oxford University Press, 1999, ISBN 0-19-512444-8

Subject specific skills

Key Skills:
Communicate verbally and in writing
Demonstrate advanced polymer synthesis and characterization practical skills
Demonstrate conceptual understanding of different advanced polymer synthesis techniques
Demonstrate the ability to perform a literature search and to critically evaulate the results of experiments
Effectively manage their time
Cognitive Skills:
Critically analyze data
Comprehensively assess errors in data
Test hypotheses using experimental data
Interpret results using information from the literature.
Assimilate information from written material such as text books and research papers

Transferable skills

Ability to participate in group discussions