
Introduce fundamentals of polymer chemistry, covering natural and synthetic polymers, molecular weight, crystalline vs amorphous domains, Tg and Tm, and polymerization methods: step growth, chain growth, coordination, and ring-opening polymerization.
Explore how polymers are built from monomers into macromolecules with diverse architectures, including linear, branched, and cross-linked networks. Differentiate thermoplastics from thermosetting plastics and understand the recyclability of polymer systems.
Learn how to determine average molecular weight of polymers using Mn and Mw from size exclusion chromatography, and how crystalline vs amorphous morphologies affect melting temperature and properties.
Explore step-growth polymerization of polyesters through condensation reactions between hydroxyl and carboxyl groups, eliminating water to build high molecular weight polymers like PET and PGA.
Explore how polyamides form via condensation polymerization and ring opening polymerization, creating amide bonds in nylons like nylon 6 and nylon 6,6 to produce industrial fibers.
Explore polycarbonates, their carbonate group, and Lexan, known for high impact resistance, and examine polyurethanes, soft and elastic or tough with cross-linking.
Explore radical chain growth polymerization, including initiation, propagation, and termination, with initiators such as benzoyl peroxide or azo compounds, and contrast low density and high density polyethylene.
Explore ionic chain growth polymerization, initiated by anionic or cationic species, detailing initiation, propagation, termination, and living polymerization to control polymer architecture.
Explore cationic polymerization, where alkenes form carbocations via strong acid initiators, propagate through proton transfer and attack by nucleophiles, and terminate with water or alcohol to yield functionalized polymers.
Explore coordination polymerization and how Ziegler-Natta catalysts enable high-density polypropylene production. Examine monometallic and dinuclear mechanisms, including titanium, aluminum, and metallocene systems, for alkene insertion and chain propagation.
Explore cyclic monomers and ring-opening polymerization, detailing how angle and torsional strains affect polymerizability, and describe initiation, propagation, and termination that yield polymers with ester and amide bonds.
Explore radical and cationic/anionic ring opening polymerization mechanisms, including living polymers via oxidation-reduction processes, and illustrate with vinyl, phenyl vinyl, and nylon six formation.
Discover ring-opening polymerization of epoxides like ethylene oxide to make poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(propylene oxide). Understand living polymer behavior, catalysts, and epoxy crosslinking to form durable resins.
Explore fundamentals of polymer chemistry, including polymer definition, molecular weight, and step-growth polymerization. Learn how coordination and ring-opening polymerization create polymers such as nylon six, polyethylene oxide, and polycaprolactam.
Enroll now in Introduction to Polymer Chemistry and learn the fundamentals of polymer chemistry. Learn about materials science concepts and chemistry. This course is designed to provide you with clear and straightforward explanations, making it easy to understand the fundamental concepts.
In this course, we will cover the essential concepts that will give you a strong foundation in polymer science. You'll learn how to calculate the molecular weight of a polymer, the difference between crystalline and amorphous domains in polymers. We are also will explain the glass transition temperature (Tg) and melt transition temperature (Tm) of polymers.
Moving on, we will focus on some key synthetic polymers widely used in various industries. You will learn how polyesters, polyamides, polycarbonates, and polyurethane are made through step-growth polymerization. We will explain chain-growth polymerization. You will discover the main differences between step-growth and chain-growth polymerization. We will introduce the coordination polymerization, a special type of catalytic polymerization. The course covers also the ring-opening polymerization.
By enrolling in this course, you will gain a solid understanding of polymer chemistry principles and concepts. We will take you through the essential topics step by step, ensuring that you can follow along with ease.
By the end of this course, you'll have a solid grasp of polymer chemistry and its practical applications. Don't miss out on this opportunity to expand your knowledge and start your journey into the exciting world of polymers! Enroll now!