Principles of Polymer Synthesis

Week 1: Historical development of polymer science (since the early 20th century), classification of polymers (based upon the structure of polymers/based upon mechanism of polymerization), concept of average molecular weight of polymers, how to determine different averages for molecular weight (specific methods such as gel permeation chromatography, vapour pressure osmometry, viscosity measurement, membrane osmometry etc. will be discussed in some detail).

Week 2: Step polymerization: Control of molecular weight (stoichiometric excess or monofunctional impurity),number fraction and weight fraction distribution functions, side reactions in step polymerization (cyclization vs linear polymerization, the effect of ring stability and kinetic factor), interfacial polymerization (general principle along with specific examples, applicability).

Week 3: Chain polymerization: general discussion of radical vs ionic polymerization; types of initiators; rate expression for radical chain polymerization, initiator efficiency; different modes of termination (coupling and disproportionation), chain transfer reactions and molecular weight control, autoacceleration, ceiling temperature.

Week 4: Chain polymerization (contd..): Effect of temperature on rate of radical chain polymerization and on molecular weight of polymers, dead end polymerization; Chain copolymerization: terminal model and derivation of instantaneous copolymer composition, concept of reactivity ratio, ideal copolymerization, alternating and azeotropic copolymerization, copolymer composition drift with conversion, experimental determination of reactivity ratio, microstructure of copolymers; Living polymerization methods such as ATRP, NMD, and RAFT. Discussion of examples from research papers that utilize some of these strategies to obtain specific properties.

Week 5: Design of Chemical Reactors: Different kinds of reactors (batch, CSTR, PFR, PBR etc.), basic mole balance equations and concept of reactor design with respect to the desired outcome of a chemical reaction (sizing of CSTR and PFR with respect to a targeted conversion in steady state), PFRs in series vs CSTRs in series.

Week 6: Design of Chemical Reactors (contd..): Effect of the reactor on the molecular weight distribution in polymerization (radical vs step growth), Selectivity in chemical reaction vs choice of reactor, basic energy balance equation, multiplicity of steady states in CSTR, ignition and extinction temperature, application of these concepts in polymerization.

Week 7: Industrial synthesis and structure-property relation of important engineering step polymers and specialty polymers (week 7 + week 8)

Week 8: Industrial synthesis and structure-property relation of important engineering step polymers and specialty polymers (week 7 + week 8: polyesters, polycarbonates, epoxy resins, aliphatic and aromatic polyamides, polyurethanes, polyimides etc.); different fiber spinning processes