The various morphologies formed by self-assembling block copolymers can be used in a range of optical, magnetic, and electronic applications. (Figure by MIT OCW.)
This course presents the mechanical, optical, and transport properties of polymers with respect to the underlying physics and physical chemistry of polymers in melt, solution, and solid state. Topics include conformation and molecular dimensions of polymer chains in solutions, melts, blends, and block copolymers; an examination of the structure of glassy, crystalline, and rubbery elastic states of polymers; thermodynamics of polymer solutions, blends, crystallization; liquid crystallinity, microphase separation, and self-assembled organic-inorganic nanocomposites. Case studies include relationships between structure and function in technologically important polymeric systems.
Syllabus
Textbook
There is no required textbook for this course. A suggested reference is:
Young, R. J., and P. A. Lovell. Introduction to Polymers. 2nd ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2000. ISBN: 9780748757404.
Assignments
Students must complete and hand in five problem sets during the term.
Students are also required to write a substantial essay on an area concerning the structure, processing, and physical properties of polymers. A two page detailed outline is due on Lec #13 and the paper is due seven days after Lec #23.
Exams
There will be two in-class exams.
Grading
Grading criteria.
| ACTIVITIES |
PERCENTAGES |
| Five problem sets |
20% |
| Two exams |
50% |
| Essay - outline |
5% |
| Essay - final |
15% |
| Attendance and participation |
10% |
Schedule
Course schedule.
| LEC # |
TOPICS |
KEY DATES |
| 1 |
Introduction; hard vs. soft solids; polymerization |
|
| 2 |
Chains; thermodynamics of polymer solutions |
|
| 3 |
Thermodynamics (cont.): Mean field; Flory Huggins and lattice theory; entropy and enthalpy of mixing; phase diagrams |
|
| 4 |
Polymer blends; viscosity; osmometry |
Problem set 1 due |
| 5 |
Osmometry (cont.); SEC (size exclusion chromatography) and GPC (gel permeation chromatography) |
|
| 6 |
Scattering; Zimm plots |
|
| 7 |
Glass transition temperature Tg |
|
| 8 |
Diffusion of polymers; reptation; elasticity |
Problem set 2 due |
| 9 |
Gels; Flory-Rehner theory |
|
| 10 |
Self organization |
|
| |
Exam I |
|
| 11 |
Intermaterial dividing surface (IMDS); polymer-based photonics |
|
| 12 |
Photonic crystals |
|
| 13 |
Influence of chain architecture on microdomain characteristics |
|
| 14 |
Block copolymer-homopolymer blends |
|
| 15 |
Hierarchically ordered BCP-nanoparticle composites |
|
| 16 |
Top down meets bottom up |
Problem set 3 due |
| 17 |
Chain folding; polyethylene and nylon; spherulites |
|
| 18 |
Mechanical properties; crazing; microframes and millitrusses |
|
| |
Exam II |
Problem set 4 due |
| 19 |
Mechanical properties (cont.) |
|
| 20 |
Single wall and multi-wall nanotubes (SWNT, MWNT) |
|
| 21 |
Electronic polymers |
|
| 22 |
Polymer conductives; polypyrrole chains; optical interactions |
Problem set 5 due |
| 23 |
Wrap-up and review |
Project report due |