Chemistry 595
Polymer Physical Chemistry
Spring 2008

Prof. M. D. Dadmun
Buehler 323
x6582
dad@utk.edu

An Introduction to the Course

Textbooks:

Required Text:

P. C. Hiemenz & T.P. Lodge, “Polymer Chemistry”, 2nd Edition, CRC Press, 2007.

Primary References:

L.H. Sperling, "Introduction to Physical Polymer Science", Wiley-Interscience, 2006.

A. Rudin, "The Elements of Polymer Science and Engineering", Academic Press, 1999.

Supplementary Material:

R.H. Boyd and P.J. Phillips, “The Science of Polymer Molecules”, Cambridge, 1993.

P.J. Flory, “Principles of Polymer Chemistry”, Cornell, 1953.

J.D. Ferry, “Viscoelastic Properties of Polymers”, J. Wiley, 1980



Course Coverage:

[# in parenthesis corresponds to the relevant chapter in Hiemenz & Lodge]

  1. Molecular Weights of Polymers: Distributions, averages, and methods of determination. (Chapters 1.7-1.8, 8, 9.3, 9.4, & 9.8)
  2. Structure of Polymer Chain: Introduction to chain isomerism, stereochemistry, configurations, and conformations. (1.6, 5.6.2, 5.7-5.9)
  3. Amorphous State of Polymers: In depth examination of polymer conformation, microstructure, and dynamics in the amorphous state including Rouse and Reptation dynamics. (6.1-6.3, 6.5-6.9, 11.4, 11.6, 11.7)
  4. Polymer viscoelasticity: Stress relaxation, Creep, mechanical models of polymer behavior, and dynamic viscoelasticity. (11.1,11.2)
  5. Crystalline State of Polymers: Crystallization and kinetics, crystalline structures, experimental methods. (13)
  6. Polymer Solutions and Blends: Thermodynamics, phase separation, mechanisms, kinetics. (7)
  7. Relaxation and Transitions in Polymers: Polymer relaxation mechanisms, the glass transition, time-temperature superposition, and experimental methods. (11.3, 12)
  8. Rubber Elasticity: Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics of polymer elasticity. (10)

If there is time:

Modern Topics of Polymers: Interfaces, Neutron Scattering and/or your suggestions.

 

Grading:

Homework Problems: 5%

Mid-Term Exam 30%

Final Exam 30 % - Tues. April 29; 10:15-12:15

Term Paper and Presentation 35%

 

Term paper:

Update a topic that is covered in class. I expect that you will go to the literature to extend/update the current state of knowledge of that topic. You may discuss the topic with me or ask me for suggestions. This will be a 10-15 page paper describing the topic in more detail or as an extension to what is covered in class. You will also present a 10-15 minute talk on the material during the last week of class. Your grade on the paper will be based on how well you have presented the material in both the paper and the presentation. It is important that the explanation be in your own words, not paraphrased from the papers that you read. I will be glad to schedule practice sessions (outside class time) for the talks if you would like. I would also be glad to read a rough draft of your paper if you give me enough time to read it and return it to you before the due date.

 

Field Trip:

If there is sufficient interest, a trip to a local polymer plant will be scheduled towards the end of the semester to show you how the material that you have learned in the course is actually utilized in Industry.

Information on The Web:

There will be a web presence for this class. This can be found at http://web.utk.edu/~dad/Chem595.html. It will include


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