Description
Objectives
To confer a background on Polymer Chemistry, giving the future MSc graduates the capability of developing their activities and skills in a polymer production unit or in a R&D laboratory, and acting with proficiency and full understanding of the concepts in this domain. More specifically, the students should be able to describe and explain namely the: - general structure of polymers - concept of molecular weight distribution - classification of synthetic and natural polymers in the respective subgroups - properties of polymers in solution and in solid state - differences between step-reaction and chain polymerisation - synthetic methods leading to molecular weight control and architectural design - use of methods for the characterisation polymer materials - carry out a polymer synthesis based on a given experimental protocol
Syllabus
1. Introduction 2. Structure and behaviour of polymer chains (Chain conformations. Thermodynamics of polymers) 3. Main methods of polymer mass and structural characterisation 3.1 End-group analysis, membrane osmometry, viscometry. Light Scattering. SEC, MALDI-TOF 3.2 FTIR, NMR, etc. 4. Synthesis: from naturally occurring to architecturally designed polymers 4.1 Natural polymers (of plant and animal origin) 4.2 Types of polymerisation: 4.2.1 Step-reaction polymerisation (incl. polycondensation) 4.2.2 Chain polymerisation (incl. addition polymerisation) 4.2.2.1 Free Radical homo- and co-polymerisation 4.2.2.2 Controlled Radical (ATRP, RAFT, NMP, etc.) 4.2.2.3 Cationic 4.2.2.4 Anionic (Living Polymerisation) 4.2.2.5 Coordination (Ziegler-Natta, Metallocene, ROMP, ROP) 4.3 Reactions on polymers 4.4 Gelation and polymer networks 4.5 Heterogeneous polymerisation, polymer nanoparticles
Prerequisites
Previous background in Organic Chemistry and Physical Chemistry
Cross Competence Component
Soft Skills will be developed both in the Theoretical-Practical and Laboratory grading processes (see Grading and respective percentages). In the Laboratory classes Interpersonal skills will be particularly developed, namely Group Work and Leadership, as well as the Creativity component, as students will be assessed in each class. The presentation of polymer applications cases of everyday life throughout the Theoretical-Practical classes will be particularly useful not only for developing Critical and Innovative thinking but also for learners to gain greater contact with Information and Media Literacy.
Laboratorial Component
Each student will perform three or four laboratory assignments to illustrate some of the topics included in the Syllabus.
Programming And Computing Component
In the Laboratory classes students may use the computational chemistry skills (e.g. molecular dynamics) acquired in the previous Period in order to illustrate different structural features of different polymer chains. However, these activities will not be directly reflected in the grading.
Ethical Principles
All members of a group are responsible for the group´s work. In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used. In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.