2019/20 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue
CHEM5701M Polymer Synthesis, Self-Assembly and Properties
15 creditsClass Size: 30
Module manager: Dr Paul Thornton
Email: p.d.thornton@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2019/20
Pre-requisite qualifications
A bachelor degree with a 2:2 (hons) in engineering, a physical science or mathematics. Relevant professional qualifications and experience may also be considered.All applicants will need to have GCSE English Language at grade C or above, or an appropriate English language qualification.
Co-requisites
| CAPE5000M | Research Project (MSc) |
| CAPE5270M | |
| CAPE5705M | Phase Transformations and Microstructural Control |
| CAPE5730M | Materials Selection and Failure Analysis |
| CAPE5750M | Materials Structures and Characterisation |
This module is mutually exclusive with
| CAPE5760M | Ceramics, Polymers and Composites |
| CHEM3246 | Soft Matter: Self-Assembling and Polymeric Materials |
This module is not approved as an Elective
Module summary
The module will provide a comprehensive overview of contemporary polymer synthesis, macromolecular self-assembly and processing to form structural and functional materials and the characterisation of such polymers/materials.Objectives
On completion of the first third of this module, the students will have a comprehensive understanding of polymer synthesis. In particular, emphasis will be afforded to controlled polymerisation techniques that are used to produce macromolecular architectures that are frequently utilised in the soft matter field. Information of common characterisation techniques relevant to polymer chemistry will be given to ensure that an understanding of analytical polymer chemistry is acquired. The students will gain an appreciation of the significance of polymer self-assembly within the contemporary academic literature to ensure that the content is partially research-led. Finally, an understanding of the commercial significance of using polymers within biomaterials will be obtained.The second third of the module will give the students a basic understanding of some of the important interactions in soft materials and determination of the stability of colloidal suspensions undergoing sedimentation. They will also be familiar with physical models for 1D self-assembly of supramolecular polymers and amphiphile self-assembly. Students will understand and apply models for the solution-phase structure of polymers and understand the mixing properties, equilibrium phase diagrams and phase separation mechanisms in polymer solutions. Ultimately the students will understand how these physical models relate to the design of smart soft materials for applications in a range of industries ranging from healthcare to consumer products.
The final third of the module will focus on structure-property-processing relationships in polymers. It will begin by examining the classification of polymer structures and the structural transitions within amorphous and crystalline polymers and their relationship to the structure of the polymer molecule, inter- and intra-molecular bonding, molecular size distribution and physical and mechanical properties. Students will then study the rheological behaviour of polymer melts and solutions as a precursor to investigating the processing of thermosetting, thermoplastic and liquid crystal polymers and elastomers to discrete and continuous products.
Learning outcomes
(1) A comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles of both theoretical and synthetic polymer chemistry.
(2) Familiarity of the polymeric properties, and the methods utilised to assess these properties that are of significance for the generation of soft materials.
(3) Knowledge of key contemporary methods of polymerisation, and their wide-ranging applicability within soft matter.
(4) An understanding of the importance of non-covalent interactions in soft matter.
(5) Understanding and application of self-assembly models for amphiphiles and 1D self-assembly of supramolecular polymers.
(6) Understand and apply models for solution phase structures of linear homopolymers.
(7) Understand the assumptions and results of Flory-Huggins Theory (regular solution theory generalised to polymeric systems) and understand how two mechanisms of phase separation
Skills outcomes
All the skills that are introduced, practiced or assessed in the module conform to the LeedsforLife development skills.
Syllabus
General Polymer Synthesis
Free Radical Polymerisations
Controlled Free-Radical Polymerisations
Ring-Opening Polymerisations
Polymer Self Assembly
Industrial Applications of Polymers
Polymer Analysis
Non-covalent interactions in soft matter
The hydrophobic effect
Amphiphile self-assembly
Thermodynamics of self-assembly and the critical micelle concentration
Mechanisms of 1D self-assembly
Models of solution phase polymer conformations
Flory-Huggins Theory (regular solution theory generalised for polymers)
Phase diagrams, free energy of mixing and mechanisms of phase separation: nucleation and growth; spinodal decomposition
Classes of polymers and their structures
Structural transitions in polymers and their relationship to molecular structure, bonding, size distribution, and mechanical and physical properties
Polymer crystallisation
Rheology of polymer melts and solutions
Processing of thermoplastics, thermosets and elastomers
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 30 | 1.00 | 30.00 |
| Private study hours | 120.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 30.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150.00 | ||
Private study
Each lecturer (one third of the course each) will provide a revision class prior to the exam (3 x 1 hrs)The students will have a total of two online computer assessments, issued by School of Chemistry staff (2 x 3 hr).
A further assessed problem sheet will be provided by SCAPE staff, and an additional two (non-assessed) problem sheets with solutions will be made available to the students. (1 x 3 hrs and 2 x 1.5 hrs respectively).
Solutions to the assessed and practise problem sheets will be made available online to ensure that feedback is imparted instantly. The students will also be given online videos and website resources to explore from the VLE (13 hrs independent online learning).
Further study of lecture material, including reading relevant accompanying material in books on the module reading list as directed by the lecturers. (3 hr per lecture = 90 hr) This includes exam revision, including practise of past papers. (15 hr).
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Three pieces of coursework enable the monitoring of student progress from week 5. Mentimeter (in-class short tests) and Peerwise will be used to gauge general student progress throughout. All students will be encouraged to complete non-assessed problem sheets to highlight any lack of understanding. Individual module surveys will be issued as the module progresses to gain student opinion.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Computer Exercise | Computer Exercise | 7.00 |
| Computer Exercise | Computer Exercise | 7.00 |
| Problem Sheet | Problem Sheet | 7.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 21.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) (S2) | 2 hr 00 mins | 79.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 79.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 04/06/2019
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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