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Polymeric Materials I

Objectives

The main goals of this curricular unit are: to introduce the theoretical, practical and laboratory concepts necessary to understand the mechanisms of formation of a polymer chain from different types of polymerization reactions; To teach how, in general, a polymer can be obtained experimentally, to hydrolyse, purify and quantitatively characterize the molecular structures of polymeric materials. On the other hand, this curricular unit aims at understanding the relations
between the molecular structure and the macroscopic properties of the Polymeric Materials, as well as the study of its main physical properties. The aim is to develop in students the ability to apply their basic physics-chemistry knowledge in the study of the main theories that describe the behavior of the polymers, as well as to apply mathematical knowledge in solving concrete problems that involve the applications of polymeric materials.

General characterization

Code

12693

Credits

6.0

Responsible teacher

Maria Teresa Varanda Cidade

Hours

Weekly - 4

Total - Available soon

Teaching language

Português

Prerequisites

There are no specific requirements, however, prior knowledge of organic chemistry and thermodynamics is advised.

Bibliography

“Chimie Macromoléculaire”, G. Champetier, vol.I, Hermann, Paris, 1970.
“Organic Chemistry of Synthetic High Polymers”, R.W. Lenz, Interscience, London, 1967.
“Laboratory Preparation for Macromolecular Chemistry”, E.M. Macaffery, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1970.
“The Chemistry of Polymers”, J.W. Nicholson, Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, 1991.
“Advanced Polymer Chemistry”, M. Chanda, Marcel Dekker, New York, 2000.
“Polymer Chemistry”, P.C. Hiemenz, T.P. Lodge, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis, London, 2007.

"Introduction to Polymers",  R.J.Young, Chapman and Hall, London, 1981

Polymer Science and Technology”, J.R. Fried, Prentice Hall PTR (Eds), 1995

Polymers: Polymer Characterization and Analysis”, Encyclopedia Reprint Series, J.I. Kroschwitz (Ed.), John Wiley & Sons, 1990.

Teaching method

Available soon

Evaluation method

The UC has a practical component, which leads to a practical grade NP, and a theoretical-practical component, which leads to a NT grade, both between 0 and 20 points. To pass the course, each of these grades must be at least 9.5, and the final grade N is given by

N = 0.3 NP + 0.7 NT

NP is the average grade obtained in mini-tests related to laborator classes, which are mandatory (otherwise the student does not obtain frequency to the UC, being automatically excluded) and NT can be obtained in a continuous assessment with two written tests, or, in alternative, in the final exam. X = [-1, 1] and depends on student participation in class.

To perform the UC by continuous assessment it is necessary to obtain a minimum of 7.5 points in the 1st test. Otherwise, the student is admitted to the exam.

Subject matter

Introduction to polymers: definition of polymer, structure of polymers. Distribution of molecular masses. Thermoplastic, thermosetting polymers and elastomers. Examples and nomenclature. 

Synthesis of polymers: polycondensation reactions, polymerization reactions, copolymerization reactions, polymer modification reactions.

Thermal, morphological and optical characterization of polymers.

Determination of the average molecular mass by osmometry and other colligative properties. Determination of the viscosimetric average molecular mass.

Thermodynamics of polymer solutions. Theory of Flory-Huggins. Diluted polymer solutions. Theory of Flory-Krigbaum. Solubility of polymers.