Polymer Chemistry (5cr)
Course unit code: C-10122-KEM--310
General information
- Credits
- 5 cr
- Institution
- University of Tampere
Objectives
After completing the course, the student can use the basic terminology of polymer chemistry, draw polymerization reaction mechanisms using computer software and describe the techniques used in polymerization. The student can relate the molar mass determination methods, thermoanalytical techniques, and principles of molecular modeling of polymers. The student can use a computer software to model monomers and oligomers. The student can draw conclusions and describe the relationships between polymer structure, properties, stability, and polymerization mechanism. The strudent recognizes the most common thermoplastics, thermosets, rubbers, and thermoplastic elastomers and the production processes of their typical products.Sustainability: the student can describe the recycling methods of polymer materials including tertiary recycling.Evaluation LevelsExcellentExam excellent + exercises excellent.GoodExam good + some exercises done.Satisfactory / PassExam 15/40 + no exercises.FailExam < 15/40 or assessment items missing.
Content
Core contentsIntroduction to polymer chemistry. Basic terminology and classification, polymer structure (incl. copolymers, tacticity), plastics, nomenclature.Polymer synthesis. Reaction mechanisms: step-growth polymerization,chain-growth polymerization (free-radical, ionic: anion and cation, coordination polymerization), ring-opening polymerization. Polymerization techniques: bulk, solution, suspension, emulsion, gas phase and interfacial polymerization. Polymer structure determination with computational molecular modeling.Conformation; measurement of average molecular weight (primary and secondary methods).Solid state properties (amorphous and semicrystalline morphologies), thermal transitions and properties, measurement techniques (DSC).Structure-property relationships: effect, e.g., on thermal and mechanical properties.Polymer degradation and the environment (thermal, oxidative, UV, chemical and hydrolytic, radiolytic degradation/stability); management of plastics in the environment and recycling methods (e.g. tertiary/chemical recycling).Biodegradation and biopolymers.Thermoplastics, elastomers, thermosets, engineering plastics, their synthesis, properties, and usage.Special presentations - topic varies yearlyMolecular dynamic simulations of solid state properties.Special topics in polymer synthesis, e.g., metathesis; green chemistry. Specialty polymers (e.g., liquid-crystalline and electrically conductive polymers, e.g., solar cell polymers; sensor applications).
Prerequisites
A corresponding course or amount of studies in organic chemistry can also be accepted as a prerequisite.PrerequisiteCode: KEM.220 (KEB-62100, KEM-2100)Name: Organic Chemistry 1ECTS credits: 5Necessity: Recommended
Further information
Partial completions of the course (written exam and exercises) must be carried out during the same implementation round.Registration required for the course and exam in Sisu.