Introduction to Polymer Science and Chemistry

With such a wide diversity of properties and applications, is it any wonder that industry and academia have such a fascination with polymers? A solid introduction to such an enormous and important field is critical to the modern polymer scientist-to-be, but most of the available books do not stress practical problem solving or include recent advances. Serving as the polymer book for the new millennium, "Introduction to Polymer Science and Chemistry: A Problem Solving Approach" unites the fundamentals of polymer science and polymer chemistry in a seamless presentation. Emphasizing polymerization kinetics, the author uses a unique question-and-answer approach when developing theory or introducing new concepts. The first four chapters introduce polymer science, focusing on physical and molecular properties, solution behavior, and molecular weights. The remainder of the book explores polymer chemistry, devoting individual, self-contained chapters to the main types of polymerization reactions: condensation; free radical; ionic; coordination; and ring-opening. It introduces recent advances such as supramolecular polymerization, hyperbranching, photoemulsion polymerization, the grafting-from polymerization process, polymer brushes, living/controlled radical polymerization, and immobilized metallocene catalysts. With numerical problems accompanying the discussion at every step along with numerous end-of-chapter exercises, "Introduction to Chemical Polymer Science: A Problem Solving Approach" is an ideal introductory text and self-study vehicle for mastering the principles and methodologies of modern polymer science and chemistry.

Introductory Concepts Basic Definitions Polymerization and Functionality Polymerization Processes Molecular Architecture Classification of Polymers Plastics, Fibers, and Elastomers Polymer Nomenclature References Exercises Chain Dimensions, Structures, and Transitional Phenomena Introduction Polymer Chains: Structures and Dimensions Constitutional and Configurational Isomerism Crystallinity in Polymers Thermal Transitions in Polymers Regions of Viscoelastic Behavior Factors Affecting Tg Factors Affecting Tm Relation Between Tm and Tg Theoretical Treatment of Glass Transition Chain Movements in Amorphous State Thermodynamics of Rubber Elasticity References Exercises Polymers in Solution Introduction Thermodynamics of Liquid Mixtures Phase Equilibria in Poor Solvents Solubility Behavior of Polymers Swelling of Crosslinked Polymers Frictional Properties of Polymer Molecules In Dilute Solution References Exercises Polymer Molecular Weights Introduction Molecular Weight Averages Molecular Weights in Terms of Moments Molecular Weight Determination References Exercises Condensation (Step-Growth) Polymerization Introduction Rates of Polycondensation Reactions Number-Average Degree of Polymerization Control of Molecular Weight Molecular Weight Distribution (MWD) Nonlinear Step Polymerization Recursive Approach for Average Properties Polycondensation of AxB Monomers References Exercises Free Radical Polymerization Introduction Scheme of Radical Chain Polymerization Experimental Determination of Rp: Dilatometry Methods of Initiation Dead-End Polymerization Determination of Absolute Rate Constants Chain Length and Degree of Polymerization Chain Transfer Deviations from Ideal Kinetics Inhibition/Retardation of Polymerization Effects of Temperature Molecular Weight Distribution Polymerization Processes Living Radical Polymerization References Exercises Chain Copolymerization Introduction Binary Copolymer Composition--Terminal Model Multicomponent Copolymerization: Terpolymerization Deviations from Terminal Model Copolymerization ad Crosslinking Block and Graft Copolymerization References Exercises Ionic Chain Polymerization Introduction Ionic Polymerizability of Monomers Anionic Polymerization Anionic Copolymerization Cationic Polymerization References Exercises Coordination Addition Polymerization Introduction Ziegler--Natta Catalysts Mechanism of Ziegler--Natta Polymerization Kinetics of Ziegler--Natta Polymerization Supported Metal Oxide Catalysts Ziegler--Natta Copolymerization Metallocene-Based Ziegler--Natta Catalysts Immobilized Metallocene Catalysts Oscillating Metallocene Catalysts References Exercises Ring-Opening Polymerization Introduction Polymerization Mechanism and Kinetics References Exercises Appendix A: Conversion of Units Appendix B: Fundamental Constants Index