Thoroughly updated, Introduction to Polymers, Third Edition presents the science underpinning the synthesis, characterization and properties of polymers. The material has been completely reorganized and expanded to include important new topics and provide a coherent platform for teaching and learning the fundamental aspects of contemporary polymer science.
New to the Third Edition
Part I
This first part covers newer developments in polymer synthesis, including ‘living’ radical polymerization, catalytic chain transfer and free-radical ring-opening polymerization, along with strategies for the synthesis of conducting polymers, dendrimers, hyperbranched polymers and block copolymers. Polymerization mechanisms have been made more explicit by showing electron movements.
Part II
In this part, the authors have added new topics on diffusion, solution behaviour of polyelectrolytes and field-flow fractionation methods. They also greatly expand coverage of spectroscopy, including UV visible, Raman, infrared, NMR and mass spectroscopy. In addition, the Flory–Huggins theory for polymer solutions and their phase separation is treated more rigorously.
Part III
A completely new, major topic in this section is multicomponent polymer systems. The book also incorporates new material on macromolecular dynamics and reptation, liquid crystalline polymers and thermal analysis. Many of the diagrams and micrographs have been updated to more clearly highlight features of polymer morphology.
Part IV
The last part of the book contains major new sections on polymer composites, such as nanocomposites, and electrical properties of polymers. Other new topics include effects of chain entanglements, swelling of elastomers, polymer fibres, impact behaviour and ductile fracture. Coverage of rubber-toughening of brittle plastics has also been revised and expanded.
While this edition adds many new concepts, the philosophy of the book remains unchanged. Largely self-contained, the text fully derives most equations and cross-references topics between chapters where appropriate. Each chapter not only includes a list of further reading to help readers expand their knowledge of the subject but also provides problem sets to test understanding, particularly of numerical aspects.
CONCEPTS, NOMENCLATURE AND SYNTHESIS OF POLYMERS
Concepts and Nomenclature
The Origins of Polymer Science and the Polymer Industry
Basic Definitions and Nomenclature
Molar Mass and Degree of Polymerization
Principles of Polymerization
Introduction
Classification of Polymerization Reactions
Monomer Functionality and Polymer Skeletal Structure
Functional Group Reactivity and Molecular Size: The Principle of Equal Reactivity
Step Polymerization
Introduction
Linear Step Polymerization
Non-Linear Step Polymerization
Radical Polymerization
Introduction to Radical Polymerization
The Chemistry of Conventional Free-Radical Polymerization
Kinetics of Conventional Free-Radical Polymerization
Free-Radical Polymerization Processes
Reversible-Deactivation (‘Living’) Radical Polymerizations
Non-Linear Radical Polymerizations
Ionic Polymerization
Introduction to Ionic Polymerization
Cationic Polymerization
Anionic Polymerization
Group-Transfer Polymerization
Stereochemistry and Coordination Polymerization
Introduction to Stereochemistry of Polymerization
Tacticity of Polymers
Geometric Isomerism in Polymers Prepared from Conjugated Dienes
Ziegler–Natta Coordination Polymerization
Metallocene Coordination Polymerization
Ring-Opening Polymerization
Introduction to Ring-Opening Polymerization
Cationic Ring-Opening Polymerization
Anionic Ring-Opening Polymerization
Free-Radical Ring-Opening Polymerization
Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization
Specialized Methods of Polymer Synthesis
Introduction
Solid-State Topochemical Polymerization
Polymerization by Oxidative Coupling
Precursor Routes to Intractable Polymers
Supramolecular Polymerization (Polyassociation)
Copolymerization
Introduction
Step Copolymerization
Chain Copolymerization
Block Copolymer Synthesis
Graft Copolymer Synthesis
CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYMERS
Theoretical Description of Polymers in Solution
Introduction
Thermodynamics of Polymer Solutions
Chain Dimensions
Frictional Properties of Polymer Molecules in Dilute Solution
Number-Average Molar Mass
Introduction to Measurements of Number-Average Molar Mass
Membrane Osmometry
Vapour Pressure Osmometry
Ebulliometry and Cryoscopy
End-Group Analysis
Effects of Low Molar Mass Impurities upon Mn
Scattering Methods
Introduction
Static Light Scattering
Dynamic Light Scattering
Small-Angle X-Ray and Neutron Scattering
Frictional Properties of Polymers in Solution
Introduction
Dilute Solution Viscometry
Ultracentrifugation
Molar Mass Distribution
Introduction
Fractionation
Gel Permeation Chromatography
Field-Flow Fractionation
Mass Spectroscopy
Chemical Composition and Molecular Microstructure
Introduction
Principles of Spectroscopy
Ultraviolet and Visible Light Absorption Spectroscopy
Infrared Spectroscopy
Raman Spectroscopy
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Mass Spectroscopy
PHASE STRUCTURE AND MORPHOLOGY OF BULK POLYMERS
The Amorphous State
Introduction
The Glass Transition
Factors Controlling the Tg
Macromolecular Dynamics
The Crystalline State
Introduction
Determination of Crystal Structure
Polymer Single Crystals
Semi-Crystalline Polymers
Liquid Crystalline Polymers
Defects in Crystalline Polymers
Crystallization
Melting
Multicomponent Polymer Systems
Introduction
Polymer Blends
Block Copolymers
PROPERTIES OF BULK POLYMERS
Elastic Deformation
Introduction
Elastic Deformation
Elastic Deformation of Polymers
Viscoelasticity
Introduction
Viscoelastic Mechanical Models
Boltzmann Superposition Principle
Dynamic Mechanical Testing
Frequency Dependence of Viscoelastic Behaviour
Transitions and Polymer Structure
Time–Temperature Superposition
Effect of Entanglements
Non-Linear Viscoelasticity
Elastomers
Introduction
Thermodynamics of Elastomer Deformation
Statistical Theory of Elastomer Deformation
Stress–Strain Behaviour of Elastomers
Factors Affecting Mechanical Behaviour
Yield and Crazing
Introduction
Phenomenology of Yield
Yield Criteria
Deformation Mechanisms
Crazing
Fracture and Toughening
Introduction
Fundamentals of Fracture
Mechanics of Fracture
Fracture Phenomena
Toughened Polymers
Polymer Composites
Introduction to Composite Materials
Matrix Materials
Types of Reinforcement
Composite Composition
Particulate Reinforcement
Fibre Reinforcement
Nanocomposites
Electrical Properties
Introduction to Electrical Properties
Dielectric Properties
Conduction in Polymers
Polymer Electronics
Answers to Problems
Index
Problems and Further Reading appear at the end of each chapter.
Biography
Robert J. Young is a professor of polymer science and technology at the University of Manchester and a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. He has published extensively and is listed on ISIHighlyCited.com. His research focuses on the relationships between structure and properties in polymers and composites. Peter A. Lovell is a professor of polymer science at the University of Manchester. His research and publications focus on aspects of emulsion polymerization and related processes, especially in relation to understanding how to control the chemical structure, morphology and properties of the polymers produced.
The second edition of this book is currently the recommended text for a second year undergraduate lecture course I deliver. In future I will recommend the third edition for both this course and a fourth year (Masters) lecture course on advanced polymer synthesis. Moreover, not only have Young and Lovell produced an excellent text (again) for supporting undergraduate teaching, this book is also a superb entry level text for postgraduates students with limited experience of polymers.
—Chemistry World, 2012