Polymer Chemistry and Physical Chemistry (part 2 : Polymer Physical Chemistry)

Teacher(s)

Fustin Charles-André; Gohy Jean-François; Jonas Alain;

Language

English
> French-friendly

Prerequisites

This course requires a previous basic knowledge of the physics and chemistry of polymers, as given in the introductory courses LCHM1361 or LMAPR2019, e.g.

Main themes

This course provides an introduction to the characterization of macromolecules in solution. The course is made of flipped classrooms. All topics are not necessarily covered each year. The course discusses the notions of ideal and real chains, the size of macromolecules in solution, the notions of excluded volume and second virial coefficient, the thermodynamic properties of polymer solutions, and different techniques of characterization of polymers in solution (osmometry, viscometry, size exclusion chromatography, static light scattering).

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	The course aims at providing a deep knowledge of chain growth polymerisation methods, as well as of polymer solutions. At the end of the course, the students will be able to analyse results from experimental methods of determination of the molecular characteristics of a polymer (molar mass, distribution of molar mass, radius of gyration), and to predict its behaviour in solution (solubility, swelling, second viral coefficient, interaction parameter, phase separation). They will also be capable to solve small problems of practical relevance in the field of polymer engineering using these and complementary notions. The contribution of this Teaching Unit to the development and command of the skills and learning outcomes of the programme(s) can be accessed at the end of this sheet, in the section entitled "Programmes/courses offering this Teaching Unit".

Content

1. Distributions of molar mass and chain configurations - reminders
2. Models and size of chains in thetat solvents
3. Solvent quality and swelling of macromolecular chains in solution
4. Viscometry, dynamic light scattering and size exclusion chromatography
5. Phase diagrams of polymer solutions
6. Solubility parameters
7. Osmometry of macromolecular solutions
8. Static light scattering by macromolecular solutions

At the end of the course, the students will be able to analyze results from experimental methods of determination of the molecular characteristics of a polymer, and to predict its behaviour in dilute solution.

Teaching methods

The physical chemistry part is made of a limited number of classes in flipped classroom format, in which the students resolve small problems and discuss concepts with the teacher, based on a prior reading of a section of the lecture notes and/or on watching podcasts. Before each class, the students have to prepare 3-4 questions on their preparative reading (quizzes); the teacher randomly selects students during the class and asks them to present their proposition of answer at the blackboard. A non-prepared question is also asked at the end of each class to all students.

Evaluation methods

Part of the marks (x1, max. 20) will be awarded for answers to quizzes prepared for flipped classes and to the unprepared questions asked in the class. The use of generative AI's is allowed for the preparation, but not during the class and the presentation of answers to questions. Part of the marks will be awarded based on answers to the written exam (x2, max. 20). The final note is max(0.4 x1 + 0.6 x2 ; x2), rounded to the nearest integer number, unless the score falls between 9 and 10, in which case it is rounded down to the nearest whole number.

The x1 mark for the continuous evaluation is the sum of the grades obtained for each class at which the student was present and declared as participant; absence to a class does not result in a grade. The mark obtained for a given class is the sum of the grades given for the answers provided by the randomly-drawn students; it is a collective mark. The exam is without connection to internet, but with the syllabus or slides given by the teachers; the student is allowed to write in these documents (own writing, no free sheets). The exam asks thinking questions, small problems, etc. It can be oral or written.

Failure to comply with methodological guidelines, particularly with regard to the use of online resources, generative AI, or collaboration between students, for any part of the continuous assessment will result in an overall score of 0 for the continuous assessment.

Online resources

Lecture notes, podcasts and experimental data will be available on the Moodle website of the course.

Bibliography

L'ouvrage de référence suivant couvre une partie des concepts de LCHM2261B / the following textbook deals with part of the concepts of LCHM2261B:
Paul C. Hiemenz & Timothy P. Lodge, Polymer Chemistry, 2nd edition, CRC Press:Boca Raton, 2007.

Faculty or entity

> CHIM