Physical Chemistry of Macromolecules

Catalog description

This course addresses the fundamentals of polymer science with the emphasis on physicochemical consequences of chain nature of macromolecules and on the behavior of polymers in condensed state (polymers as soft condense matter). The topics to be covered include: chain structure and molecular weight; molecular weight distribution; step growth and addition polymerization mechanisms; chain conformation and behavior of polymers in solution; concentrated solutions and phase separation behavior; rubber elasticity; introduction to polymer viscoelasticity and rheology; mechanical behavior of polymers; glass transition and crystallization; multicomponent polymeric materials; liquid crystalline polymers; polymers at surfaces and interfaces; self-assembly and nanostructure formation in synthetic and biological systems; conducting and semiconducting polymers. Graduate students taking the course for 12 units will be required to write a term paper on a selected topic. 3 hrs. lec. Prerequisites: 06-310 or 09-345