688 Pages 767 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    688 Pages
    by CRC Press

    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