MATS42702
Control & Design of Polymerisation Reactions
15
Semester 2
Undergraduate
Level 7
Lee Fielding
Unit coordinator
Department of Materials
1
FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 '
European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 7.5
<p>The unit provides extensive coverage of the critical areas of ionic, radical and coordination-insertion homopolymerisations and copolymerisations, including reversible deactivation radical polymerisations. For each polymerisation type, the emphasis is placed on the chemistry of polymerisation and the theory that underpins the fundamental principles and mechanisms for controlling the polymerisation. The course will connect the synthetic routes to polymers to their eventual properties, such as molecular weight (determined through gel-permeation chromatography) and tacticity (determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy). </p>
<p>The unit provides extensive coverage of the critical areas of ionic, radical and coordination-insertion homopolymerisations and copolymerisations, including reversible deactivation radical polymerisations. For each polymerisation type, the emphasis is placed on the chemistry of polymerisation and the theory that underpins the fundamental principles and mechanisms for controlling the polymerisation. The course will connect the synthetic routes to polymers to their eventual properties, such as molecular weight (determined through gel-permeation chromatography) and tacticity (determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy). Specific case studies on sustainable polymers, self-assembly and reprocessible vitrimers will complement this core work by exploring how polymer design impacts end application.</p><p>This unit seeks to provide the ability to: understand and apply the chemistry and mechanisms of key polymerisation methods; be able to communicate this understanding through drawing chemical structures and reactions; be able to design polymerisation reactions for different monomer systems through monomer choice and polymerisation reaction design. Knowledge will be applied to demonstrate control over polymer properties, specifically in self-assembly and vitrimers while characterising materials for their molecular weight distributions and tacticity. </p>
<p>On completion, the student will</p><ol style="list-style-type:lower-roman;"> <li> be familiar with the chemistry and methods of key polymerisation methods, including controlled radical, coordination-insertion and ring-opening polymerisations;</li> <li> communicate, through drawing chemical structures and reactions, the relationship between monomer choice and reaction design; </li> <li> appreciate how to change polymer properties through polymerisation design, particularly in application areas of self-assembly, sustainability and vitrimers;</li> <li> appreciate how to collect and interpret data to verify whether the intended control over design has been achieved.</li></ol><p> </p>
<p>A greater depth of the learning outcomes will be covered in the following sections:</p>
<ul>
<li>
Knowledge and understanding</li>
<li>
Intellectual skills</li>
<li>
Practical skills</li>
<li>
Transferable skills and personal qualities</li>
</ul>
<ul> <li> Identify important monomers and their polymers based on chemical name or structure.</li> <li> Explain the chemistry and mechanism of key polymerisation methods, including controlled radical, ionic, co-ordination-insertion, ring-opening and metathesis polymerisations. </li> <li> Explain how to control molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, tacticity and copolymer composition in key polymerisation methods, and the resulting impact on polymer properties.</li> <li> Explain important methodologies for characterising (co)polymers, including determination of molar mass and tacticity.</li> <li> Discuss the role of mechanism and design in polymer self-assembly, sustainability and vitrimers.</li></ul><div> </div>
<ul> <li> Choose appropriate polymers or identify the conditions required to produce a polymer with defined properties, or for a given application.</li> <li> Design and evaluate methods for preparing linear and non-linear (co)polymers by key polymerisation methods.</li> <li> Choose and evaluate methods for characterising (co)polymers.</li> <li> Relate polymer structure and properties with synthesis method.</li></ul><div> </div>
<div> <ul> <li> Draw and interpret chemical structures and chemical reaction mechanisms.</li> <li> Analyse the kinetics of a polymerisation and polymer characterisation data.</li> <li> Perform calculations relating to polymer synthesis and characterisation.</li> <li> Select suitable techniques for solving problems on polymer synthesis & characterisation and critically analyse the solution proposed.</li> </ul> <div> </div></div><p> </p>
<ul> <li> Solve problems utilising appropriate methods.</li> <li> Perform calculations.</li> <li> Communicate effectively, including through drawing chemical structures.</li> <li> Show improved logical reasoning, problem solving and ability in applied mathematics and chemistry.</li></ul><div> </div>
<p>Lectures and online learning resources, group tutorials (problem sessions), laboratory sessions, assessed coursework, recommended textbooks, web resources, mock exam papers, past exam papers, electronic supporting information (Blackboard). Formative feedback will be available during synchronous sessions and model solutions to problems.</p>
1
Written exam
70%
2
Written assignment (inc essay)
30%
<p>Feedback given (Written and verbal)</p>
N
<p>• “Introduction to Polymers”, R.J. Young and P.A. Lovell, 3rd Edition, CRC Press, 2011 (or </p><p> 2nd Edition, CRC Press, 1991)</p><p>• “Polymer Chemistry: An Introduction”, M.P. Stevens, 3rd Ed., OUP, 1999.</p><p>• “Principles of Polymerisation”, G. Odian, all editions</p><p>• “Polymers: Chemistry and Physics of Modern Materials”, J.M.G. Cowie, all editions</p><p>• “Principles of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry”, P. Haines </p><p>• “Atkins' Physical Chemistry”, P. Atkins and J. de Paula</p><p>• “Polymer Chemistry”, C. E. Carraher and R. B. Seymour, 6th ed., Dekker, 2003.</p><p> </p>
Lectures
30
0
120