Course unit, curriculum year 2023–2024
KEM.310
Polymer Chemistry, 5 cr
Tampere University
- Description
- Completion options
Teaching periods
Active in period 2 (23.10.2023–31.12.2023)
Active in period 3 (1.1.2024–3.3.2024)
Course code
KEM.310Language of instruction
Finnish, EnglishAcademic years
2021–2022, 2022–2023, 2023–2024Level of study
Intermediate studiesGrading scale
General scale, 0-5Persons responsible
Responsible teacher:
Terttu HukkaResponsible organisation
Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences 100 %
Coordinating organisation
Environmental Engineering and Chemistry Studies 100 %
Core contents
- Introduction to polymer chemistry and science. Basic terminology and classification, polymer structure (incl. copolymers, tacticity), plastics, nomenclature.
- Polymer synthesis. Reaction mechanisms: step-growth polymerization,
chain-growth polymerization (free-radical, ionic: anion and cation, coordination polymerization), ring-opening polymerization. Polymerization techniques: bulk, solution, suspension, emulsion, gas phase and interfacial polymerization. Special topics e.g. metathesis. Polymer structure determination with spectroscopy (FTIR, NMR) and computational molecular modeling. - Conformation; measurement of average molecular weight (primary and secondary methods).
- Solid state properties (amorphous and semicrystalline morphologies), thermal transitions and properties, measurement techniques (DSC).
- Polymer degradation and the environment (thermal, oxidative, UV, chemical and hydrolytic, radiolytic degradation/stability); management of plastics in the environment and recycling methods (e.g. tertiary/chemical recycling).
- Biodegradation and biopolymers.
- Thermoplastics, elastomers, thermosets, engineering plastics, their synthesis, properties, and usage.
Complementary knowledge
- Structure-property relationships: effect e.g. on thermal and mechanical properties.
- Molecular dynamic simulations of solid state properties.
- Special topics in polymer synthesis, e.g. metathesis; green chemistry.
- Specialty polymers (e.g. liquid-crystalline and electrically conductive polymers e.g. solar cell polymers; sensor applications).
Learning outcomes
Prerequisites
Compulsory prerequisites
Further information
Learning material
Equivalences
Studies that include this course
Completion option 1
Completion of all options is required.
Participation in teaching
26.10.2023 – 11.12.2023
Active in period 2 (23.10.2023–31.12.2023)