Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Binder

This module covers advanced methods of polymer synthesis (lecture 1: Advanced Polymer Synthesis) and polymer characterization on molecular level (lecture 2: Polymer Analytics). The Lab course Polymer Synthesis Lab gives the students the opportunity to perform their own syntheses.
Lecture:
1. Advanced Polymer Synthesis

• Detailed description of standard polymerization techniques like living polymerization methods (CRP, LCCP, living anionic polymerization), ring opening polymerization ROP, ROMP), polymer analogous reactions for tailoring polymer properties, emulsion polymerization
• Detailed description of how to achieve advanced polymeric materials, variation of polymeric architectures, e.g., synthesis of block copolymers, grafted polymers, supramolecular polymers,vitrimeric polymers, design of shape memory polymers
• Polymers in energy engineering
• Polymer degradation and novel recycling methodologies
• Polymers and their use in microelectronics
• Polymers and their application in medicine
• Biopolymers, their biosynthesis and their technological use.
• Description of the main analytical techniques in polymer science, with a detailed study of NMR, GPC and MS techniques, discussion of practical application of techniques to polymer molecules

2. Polymer Analytics

• Description and practical experience in thermal, mechanical and stability-analysis of polymers (DSC, TGA, DTMA, melt-rheology).
• NMR-spectroscopy: solution NMR, basic techniques, sensitivity, heteronuclear-NMR, basic 2D-techniques, relaxation in marcomolecules, training and discussion of chemical shift analysis, spin/spin-coupling patterns, coupling constants in relation to chemical structure, isotopic patterns and molecular weight, determination of exact chemical structures, discussion of 2D-COSY-spectroscopy and practical analysis
• MS-analytical methods (MALDI-TOF; ESI-TOF; TOF/TOF) for the analytics of synthetic and biopolymers
• Advanced GPC/HLPC chromatography: 2D-methods in relation to polarity and coupling techniques, influence of solvents and columns, interpretation of elution times

Lab course:
1. Polymer Synthesis Lab

• Independent personal execution of polymerization experiments. The method (Ionic polymerization, Living polymerization (ATRP, NMP, LCCP)) will vary due to lab capacity.
• Multiple step polymerization techniques are performed, e.g. to obtain polymers with special magnetic and electric properties, solution properties, or general block copolymers
• Analytics of polymers (structural analytics and materials analytics such as NMR, MS-, SEC, TGA, DSC, melt-rheology, 3D printing)

completed lab course protocols and lab-safety examinations, seminar problem set solutions

oral or written examination (Advanced Polymer Synthesis, Polymer Analytics)