Applied Chemistry 324 - Polymer Chemistry

 

Prof AJ van Reenen

Room 2005, Polymer Science Building

Phone:  021 - 808 3168

Please mail me

 

Aim of this course

This course forms part of the Chemistry and Polymer Science stream within the Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science’s academic offering.  This course covers basic concepts in Polymer Science as well as introductory polymer chemistry and reactions of polymers.  Practical experiments were chosen to support and extend the theory taught in class.

Reason for presenting this course

Polymers as materials are very important.  A large percentage of the South African chemical industry is directly involved with polymeric materials.  Any chemist needs to have a sound understanding of the fundamental concepts of Polymer Science, as well as the relevant chemistry involved in the synthesis of polymers. Materials Science has a a central theme the relationship between material composition and material properties.  Any chemist should be have a basic understanding of the structure-property relationships of polymers, and to be able to relate material composition (and properties) to both the chemistry of synthesis and material processing.

What you should know at the end of this course

• Which fundamental aspects differentiate polymers from other materials
• How to easily identify different types of polymers.
• What the different morphological forms of polymers are, and how these aspects influence the macroscopic properties of polymers.
• What the various types fo reactions are that are used to synthesize polymers.
• How each of these types of reactions occur (reaction mechanisms) and how the reactions could influence morphology (vide supra).
• Which reactions polymers could undergo after polymerization, i.e during processing and use.
• Which processes are used to manufacture polymeric products and how (a) these processes work and (b) how they can affect polymer properties.

Resources

Class notes are handed out, as well as other relevant materials.  The student should also find material relevant to the development of the course structure on the internet.  A list of approved (factually correct) sites will be provided which the student may use as a departure point.

Other sources  are the following books:

• “Polymer Chemistry:  An Introduction” (Malcolm P Stevens, Oxford University Press, New York).
• “Polymer Synthesis and Characterization” (Sandler, Karo, Bonesteel & Pearce, Academic Press, New York).
• Relevant references from recent scientific papers will also be used.
• The "Encyclopaedia of Polymer Science" is in the reference section of the J.S. Gericke library (R 668.903 ENC). This is an excellent reference source for additional information and background for the topics we will cover in this course.

Course material

SECTION 1:  BASIC CONCEPTS (WEEKS 1 – 3)

Week 1:  Polymers around us

Lecture material

• Introduction to polymer science
• The importance of polymers and the extent of polymers used every day. This includes the first Course Task.
• Extension of Course Task 1

Practical

• Organization of practicals

Week 2

Lecture material

• What makes polymers different from other matarials
• Nomenclature and examples
• Molecular mass and distribution
• The practical implication of molecular mass

Practical

• Simple identification of polymers:  Demo and theory

Week 3

Lecture material

• Course task 1:  Report back session by students
• Crystalline and amorphous polymers, tacticity and regioregularity
• Metling temperature and glass transition

Practical

• Course task 1 and morphology parctical

SECTION 2:  POLYMER CHEMISTRY

Week 4

Lecture material

• Polymerization reactions:  Types
• Chain polymerization:  Introduction
• Free radical polymerization 1

Practical

• Synthesis week 1

Week 5

Lecture material

• Free radical polymerization 2
• Free radical polymerization: Kinetics
• Practical methods of free radical polymerization

Practical

• Synthesis week 2 (Emulsion, Suspension and Anionic)

Week 6

Lecture material

• Ionic polymerization: Cationic polymerization
• Ionic polymerization: Anionic polymerization
• Ionic polymerization: Kinetics

Practical

• Synthesis week 3

Week 7

Lecture material

• Feedback and discussion:  Course Task 2
• Ring-opening polymerization 1

Practical

• Tutorial 1

HOLIDAY (MARCH 29 - APRIL 7)

Week 8

Lecture material

• Ring opening polymerization 2 (metathesis)
• Introduction to transition metal catalysts
• T/M catalyzed polymerization 1 (heterogeneous catalysts)

Practical

• Synthesis week 4

Week 9

Lecture material

• T/M catalyzed polymerization 2 (heterogeneous catalysts)
• T/M catalyzed polymerization 3 (homogeneous catalysts)
• T/M catalyzed polymerization 4 (late T/M catalysts)

Practical

• Synthesis week 5

Week 10

Lecture material

• Step polymerization I (polyesters)
• Step polymerization II (polyesters/polyamides)
• Step polymerization III (other polymers)

Practical

• Tutorial 2

SECTION 3:  REACTIONS OF POLYMERS AND PROCESSING

Week 11

Lecture material

• Polymers in the industry
• Raw materials
• Trends in industry

Practical

• Tutorial 2

Week 12

Lecture material

• Degradation of polymers:  Autoxidatation cycle
• Stabilization:  Heat
• Stabilization:  Light

Practical

• Polymer degradation

Week 13

Lecture material

• Extrusion
• Injection molding
• Bottles and films
• Other methods

Practical

• Tutorial 3

(Finalize practical reports, overview on course, course evaluation)