Polymer Science

Year
4
Academic year
2019-2020
Code
02021340
Subject Area
Chemical Engineering
Language of Instruction
Portuguese
Mode of Delivery
Face-to-face
Duration
SEMESTRIAL
ECTS Credits
5.0
Type
Elective
Level
2nd Cycle Studies - Mestrado

Recommended Prerequisites

General Chemistry.

Teaching Methods

Oral exposition class – Theoretical concepts will be explained using audiovisual support materials (mainly PowerPoint). Whenever feasible some demonstrations will be performed in the class room.

Practical Lectures – Examples of industrial processes and research projects.

Doubt sessions/extra classes – Whenever required by the students doubt session or extra classes can be scheduled.

Special seminars – Whenever possible seminars can be scheduled. A renowned specialist will be invited to give a lecturer about specific topics of interest in the scope of this class.

Learning Outcomes

This curricular unit was elaborated in order to provide an introduction to polymeric materials addressing the most important topics related to synthesis, characterization and application. Special attention will be paid to connect the theoretical topics to several on-going research projects at DEQ. The main objectives of this curricular unit are: acquisition and development of knowledge/basic competencies and specific on polymer synthesis using conventional and advanced polymerization techniques: acquisition and development of knowledge/basic competencies and specific on polymer characterization (structural, thermal and mechanical); acquisition and development of knowledge/basic competencies and specific to establish logic relationships between different polymer structures and their properties; Acquisition and development of knowledge/basic competencies in different case-studies related to the development of new polymers for specific industrial applications.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Introduction to curricular unit; objectives, syllabus, teaching methodology and calendar, methods and evaluation standards, task description, main bibliography. Introduction, definitions and classification of polymers.  Polymer synthesis. Mechanism of polymerization. Advanced polymer synthesis (living radical polymerization and click chemistry). Synthesis of complex structures. Polymerization processes (bulk, solution, suspension and emulsion).  Copolymerization; Polymer modification. Biopolymers (examples, aplications and modification methods); Smart Polymers (exemples, aplications in nanotechnology). Structural characterization of polymers (RMN, FTIR and Maldi-TOF). Determination of molecular weight and molecular weight distributions. Termal properties of polymers (DSC, mDSC, TGA, DMTA).  Pratical Lectures (industrial processes “scale-down” and structural, thermal and mechanical characterization  of polymers). Seminar(s) given by renowned person(s) in the area.

Head Lecturer(s)

Jorge Fernando Jordão Coelho

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

Stevens, M.P. Polymer Chemistry - An Introduction. 3rd ed, Oxford University Press, 1999.

Fried, J.R. Polymer Science and Technology, 2nd ed. Prentice Hall PTR, 2007.

Cowie, J.M.G.; Arrighi, A. Polymers: Chemistry and Physics of Modern Materials, 3rd edition, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, 2008.