MatSE443 (previously PLMSE 406):
Introduction to the Materials Science of Polymers
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All paragraph and pages numbers refer to the primary text (Painter & Coleman) Study Guide (chapter 3)
Concepts that you must know:
What is "Flory's Assumption"?
Definitions: reaction rate, rate constant, and concentrations of
reactants. How do they relate with each-other ?
Step-Growth kinetics: extend of reaction (p), concentration of
molecules vs. concentration of functional groups, time-dependence of
reaction (eq. 3.9). Go through Exercise 1 below.
Free Radical kinetics: definitions of four stages/mechanisms
(initiation, propagation, termination, and chain transfer), conversion,
steady-state assumption. Go through Exercise 2 below.
Free Radical kinetics: what is kinetic chain length, calculate the
kinetic chain length (eq. 3.36, 3.37), understand how it relates to the
instantaneous and the average molecular weight of the produced polymer
Effect of Chain Transfer phenomena on the molecular weight (eq. 3.44,
3.45)
Important Exercises:
* Go through the calculation of step-growth kinetics (pg. 65-68), make
sure that you understand equation 3.8
* Go through the calculation of free radical kinetics (pg. 69-77),
make sure that you understand steady state assumption and kinetic chain
length
