Course: Macromolecular Chemistry

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Course title Macromolecular Chemistry
Course code UCHTML/C825
Organizational form of instruction Lecture
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study 3
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 5
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Šňupárek Jaromír, prof. Ing. DrSc.
  • Machotová Jana, doc. Ing. Ph.D.
  • Novák Miroslav, Ing. Ph.D.
Course content
Week 1: Introduction, historical milestones and personalities of macromolecular chemistry, basic concepts, constitution and nomenclature of polymers, configurational isomerism, stereoisomerism, characteristic properties of macromolecular substances, definitions of oligomer and polymer according to IUPAC. Week 2: Molecular weight of polymers and principles of experimental determination, properties of isolated macromolecules, conformational isomerism, dissolution of polymers. Week 3: Cohesion of macromolecules, supramolecular structures of polymers, physical and phase states of polymers, semi-crystalline character of polymers, viscoelasticity. Week 4: Prerequisites for polymerizability of low-molecular substances, step polymerization, the kinetics of step polymerizations, characteristic features of step polymerizations, the functionality of monomers, polycondensation reactions of bifunctional substances, the relationship between conversion and degree of polymerization in linear polycondensations, equilibrium polycondensations, equilibrium constant and achievable conversion. Week 5: Network formation in step polymerization, non-equilibrium polycondensations, polycondensation reactions of formaldehyde and phenols, interfacial polycondensations, polyaddition, examples of polymers formed by step polymerization. Week 6: Chain polymerizations, radical polymerization, mechanism, elementary steps of radical polymerization, kinetics of radical polymerization in a homogeneous environment. Week 7: Radical copolymerization, copolymerization parameters, copolymerization diagrams. Week 8: Radical polymerization techniques in heterogeneous environments, block, solution, suspension, and emulsion polymerization. Week 9: Mechanism of emulsion polymerization, particle nucleation models, kinetics of emulsion polymerization. Week 10: Ionic polymerizations and ring-opening polymerizations, propagation, transfer, and termination reactions of cationic reactions, "living" anionic polymerizations, ionic polymerizations in nonpolar environments, and industrial applications. Week 11: Coordination polymerization, catalysts, and industrial applications. Week 12: Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), mechanism, system components, preparation of functional polymers. Week 13: Natural polymers, polysaccharides, cellulose, starch, lignin, polyprenes, polypeptides.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic (reading, lecture, briefing)
Learning outcomes
The course explains principles of macromolecular chemistry, polymerization reactions and basic properties of polymers. Properties of basic synthetic polymers as well as natural polymers are mentioned.
The student will acquire basic theoretical knowledge of macromolecular chemistry, especially the mechanism of basic polyreactions used in polymer synthesis.
Prerequisites
Knowledge of organic chemistry.

Assessment methods and criteria
Oral examination, Written examination

2 tests. Oral examination.
Recommended literature
  • Jarušek, Jaroslav. Chemie filmotvorných látek.. Pardubice: Univerzita Pardubice, 1998. ISBN 80-7194-169-7.
  • Mleziva J., Kálal J. Základy makromolekulární chemie. Praha: SNTL, 1986. ISBN 04-621-86.
  • Mleziva, Josef. Polymery : výroba, struktura, vlastnosti a použití. Praha: Sobotáles, 2000. ISBN 80-85920-72-7.
  • Šňupárek, Jaromír. Makromolekulární chemie : úvod do chemie a technologie polymerů. Pardubice: Univerzita Pardubice, 2014. ISBN 978-80-7395-761-2.
  • Šňupárek, Jaromír. Úvod do makromolekulární chemie. Pardubice: Univerzita Pardubice, 2003. ISBN 80-7194-562-5.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester