Target group: B.Sc. Chemistry, 4^th semester

Prerequisites for participation: BChGC, BChGC1
Accompanying courses: Exercise for Introduction to Macromolecular Chemistry
Proof of achievement: Oral examination

Content:

• Overview of macromolecular chemistry and polymer science
• Main polymerisation mechanisms (step growth - condensation, addition - and chain growth)
• Kinetics and thermodynamics
• Molar mass distribution, dispersity and control of the degree of polymerisation
• Synthesis process (substance, solution, emulsion/dispersion)
• Copolymerisation
• Polymer structure and morphology
• Important polymer classes
• Physical properties of polymers (chain conformation, solubility, miscibility, crystallinity)
• Basic methods for characterisation
• Sustainability (environmental impact, sustainable polymer synthesis and processing)

Recommended literature:

Young, R. J.; Lovell, P. A. Introduction to Polymers, 3rd edition; CRC Press: Boca Raton, 2011.