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 2 parts, where all groups will start by preparation of linear polymers by both suspension as well as emulsion polymerization. Subsequently each group select a specialization track, where a deeper insight into common techniques can be achieved. These change from year to year, but generally covers synthetic methods for preparation of polymers/block copolymers (free radical polymerization, controlled radical polymerization, ring-opening polymerization or e.g. enzymatic polymerization). It could also be polymerization of bio-based monomers , preparation of network polymers, preparation and testing of composites as well as surface modification and characterization.
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.

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.