Polymer synthesis and characterization

• Construct standard polymerization setups on a laboratory scale
• Account for the use of inhibitors in monomers and perform purification of monomers
• Perform suspension, emulsion, controlled free radical or ring opening polymerizations.
• Conduct kinetic studies of the selected polymerization technique and apply this to obtain a desired product.
• Apply and describe the principles behind standard purification techniques applied in polymer science.
• Characterize polymers chemically by SEC, FT-IR, NMR and prove the product structure based on these techniques.
• Perform analysis and relate these to the physical properties of polymers by DSC, TGA and Rheology.
• Combine theory and experimental work to propose new systems and new polymers.
• Discuss and present state of the art literature on a specific polymerization method.
• Reflect over the performed experiments and document the experimental work in a scientific manner.
• Present the results in a poster session.

The course is divided into two parts, so that all groups initially work on the synthesis of linear polymers by suspension and emulsion polymerization. After that, a short specialization track is chosen, where common techniques within polymer chemistry or polymer technology can be explored, such as synthesis of polymers/block copolymers (e.g., a specific technique free radical, controlled radical, ring-opening polymerization) or bio-based monomers, network polymers, manufacture and testing of composite materials, and surface modification preparation of composites.

In all tracks, the groups will work with purification and characterization of polymers. Analysis of prepared polymers by SEC, FT-IR, NMR, DSC, TGA and Rheology. Structure elucidation based on the performed analyses.

Finally, the experiments should be documented and reported in a scientific manner and presented through a poster session.

• 23 – 26

28212/28213

Laboratory excercises and presentations

Maximum: 18.

Please be aware that this course has a limited number of seats available. If there are too many applicants, a pool will be created for the remainder of the qualified applicants, and they will be selected at random. You will be informed 8 days before the start of the course, whether you have been allocated a spot.