Introduction to Polymer Physics - IITG

Polymer physics is important to understand the structure-property relation in polymers. An understanding of the structural features and interactions responsible for polymer properties can aid in tuning the desirable properties. This introductory course will discuss the models for ideal polymer chains, and thermodynamics of polymer solutions and blends, focusing on miscibility. The course will also cover the different methods to measure polymer molar mass, which has a strong effect on polymer properties. The physics of branching and network formation will be introduced with reference to branched polymers, dendrimers and cross-linked polymers. The course will also discuss mechanical properties of polymers with focus on viscoelasticity and rubber elasticity. Finally, a brief introduction to polymer dynamics will be provided.INTENDED AUDIENCE :Undergraduate (preferably final year) and post graduate students; professional practitioners working in the area of polymersPREREQUISITES :Thermodynamics, Engineering Mathematics.INDUSTRY SUPPORT :Companies working on polymers/plastics such as Reliance Industries Limited, GAIL, DuPont, Dow, SABIC.

Week 1 : INTRODUCTION TO POLYMERS; MODELS OF IDEAL POLYMER CHAINS; REAL CHAINS AND EXCLUDED VOLUME EFFECTSWeek 2 : THERMODYNAMICS OF POLYMER SOLUTIONS; FLORY-HUGGINS THEORY; PHASE BEHAVIOR, MISCIBILITY AND SOLUBILITY PARAMETERWeek 3 : THERMODYNAMICS OF POLYMER BLENDS AND BLOCK COPOLYMERS; DETERMINATION OF POLYMER MOLAR MASS BY OSMOMETRYWeek 4 : POLYMER MOLAR MASS BY LIGHT SCATTERING; FRICTIONAL PROPERTIES AND VISCOMETRY; SIZE EXCLUSION CHROMATOGRAPHYWeek 5 : BRANCHING, NETWORK FORMATION AND GELATIONWeek 6 : CRYSTALLINE AND AMORPHOUS POLYMER PHASE; MECHANICAL PROPERTIESWeek 7 :VISCOELASTICITY, MAXWELL AND VOIGT MODELS; NON-NEWTONIAN BEHAVIOR AND RHEOLOGY; RUBBER ELASTICITYWeek 8 :UNENTANGLED POLYMER DYNAMICS, ROUSE AND ZIMM MODELS; ENTANGLED POLYMER DYNAMICS, REPTATION.