Prof. Dr. Kay Saalwächter

This module covers basic topics of polymer physics. The lectures Introduction to Polymer Physics and Polymer Surface Science give an overview over the broad spectrum of physical aspects of polymeric samples. The lab course Polymer Physical Lab accompanies the lectures and show the examples of the different characterization methods.
Lectures:
1. Introduction to Polymer Physics

• Structure of single chains (ideal vs. real chains, scattering, semidilute solutions and melts)
• Mechanical properties of polymers (liquids vs. solids, rubber elasticity, viscoelasticity, relaxation processes in polymer melts, Debye relaxation, flow behavior, time-temperature superposition and glass transition)
• Molecular structure and weight distributions (chemical structure, architecture, polymerization processes, determination of structures and molecular weights)
• Microscopic models for polymer dynamics (viscosity and diffusion, Rouse model, entanglements and reptation)
• Thermodynamics of solutions and melts (dilute and semidilute solutions, Flory-Huggins theory, kinetics of phase separation, block copolymers, semicrystalline polymers)

2. Polymer Surface Science

• Surface vs. bulk
• Surface composition and ordering
• Dynamic surface processes (adsorption, desorption, diffusion)
• Surface tension
• Surface analysis (XPS, SIMS, SEM, AFM)
• Surface modification by deposition (wet processes, dry processes, CVD, PE-CVD, PVD), polymer film growth
• Surface modification and functionalization (wet and dry etching, grafting, plasma treatment)
• Polymer in lithography
• Technical applications for surface modification

Lab course:
1. Lab course Polymer Physical Lab e.g.

• Rheology/mechanical spectroscopy
• DSC
• Polarization microscopy

completed lab course protocols, written examination and seminar problem set solutions `Polymer Physics`, written examination `Polymer Surface Science`

oral examination