Standard syllabus
Polymer chemistry · Graduate · Chemistry
Topics
Controlled polymerization methods
- Anionic polymerization: living chains and block copolymers
- Cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers and isobutylene
- RAFT polymerization: mechanism and chain transfer agents
- ATRP: activators, deactivators, and ARGET/ICAR variants
- NMP and nitroxide-mediated polymerization
- ROMP: Grubbs and Schrock catalysts
- Living chain-growth vs living step-growth distinctions
- Sequence-controlled polymers and precision synthesis
- Photoinitiated controlled polymerizations
- Industrial scale-up of controlled radical polymerizations
Polymer physics and morphology
- Flory–Huggins theory and chi parameter
- Phase separation in polymer blends and block copolymers
- Order–disorder transition in block copolymers
- Crystallization kinetics: Avrami equation
- Semicrystalline morphology: spherulites, lamellae
- Glass transition: WLF equation and free volume theory
- Rubber elasticity: statistical mechanical derivation
- Viscoelastic models: Maxwell, Kelvin–Voigt, generalized models
- Dynamic mechanical analysis and time–temperature superposition
- Polymer solutions: theta conditions and coil dimensions
Functional and advanced polymers
- Conducting polymers: polyaniline, PEDOT, polypyrrole
- Photoresponsive and thermoresponsive polymers
- Biodegradable polymers: PLA, PGA, PCL, PHA
- Hydrogels: cross-linking strategies and swelling theory
- Supramolecular polymers and H-bonding motifs
- Polymer brushes and surface-grafted architectures
- Dendrimers and hyperbranched polymers
- Polymer nanocomposites: dispersion and interfacial adhesion
- Self-healing and shape-memory polymers
- Polymer electrolytes for batteries and fuel cells
Characterization at advanced level
- GPC/SEC with multi-angle light scattering (MALS)
- Rheology of polymer melts and concentrated solutions
- Small-angle X-ray/neutron scattering (SAXS/SANS)
- Solid-state NMR of polymers
- AFM of polymer surfaces and thin films
- Tensile, impact, and fracture mechanics testing
- Thermal analysis under modulated conditions (MDSC)
- MALDI-MS for polymer end-group analysis
- Spectroscopic identification of degradation products
- Molecular weight distribution effects on properties
Pricing
Graduate-level rates are set on consultation. See the pricing page for K–12 and undergraduate rates.