Physical chemistry of polymeric materials

Summary

The student has a basic understanding of the physical and physicochemical principles which result from the chainlike structure of synthetic macromolecules. The student can predict major characteristics of a polymer from its chemical structure and molecular architecture.

Content

Keywords

dilute and concentrated solutions

amorphous and crystalline state

glass transition

rubber elasticity

viscoelastic behaviour

surface and interface

Learning Prerequisites

Recommended courses

General chemistry, Inorganic chemistry, organic and polymer chemistry

Important concepts to start the course

basic knowledge of thermodynamics

elementary laws of chemistry and physics

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

• Predict polymer characteristics based on chemical structure and molecular architecture
• Use insights from physicochemical experiments to discuss the composition and architecture of polymers
• Discuss dilute and concentrated solutions and bulk behaviour of synthetic polymers
• Work out / Determine a charcterization method for a given problem
• Assess / Evaluate experimental results regarding to the discussed models

Transversal skills

• Use a work methodology appropriate to the task.
• Assess one's own level of skill acquisition, and plan their on-going learning goals.
• Continue to work through difficulties or initial failure to find optimal solutions.

Teaching methods

Lectures with integrated exercises

Assessment methods

in 2 parts:

1. Paper presentation during class in person

2. written report, in the form of a literature study

the written report has to be submitted at least, Friday of the first week after the end of the teaching.

Supervision

Resources

Bibliography

1. T.P. Lodge, P.C. Hiemenz, Polymer Chemistry, 3rd edition, CRC Press 2020

e-book:

http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=2512676

hardcopies are available at the liberary

2.  L.H. Sperling, Introduction of Physical Polymer Science

4th edition, Wiley Interscience 2005

3. M. Rubinstein, R.H. Colby, Polymer Physics, Oxford University Press 2003

Ressources en bibliothèque

• Introduction to Physical Polymer Science / Sperling
• Polymer physics / Rubinstein, Colby
• Polymer Chemistry / Hiemenz

Notes/Handbook

Slides and notes are avaiable on Moodle

Moodle Link

• https://go.epfl.ch/MSE-431