Polymers Plus Structure and Morphology

2 Units

This special topic focuses on polymer structure and morphology and their applications. Topics include solid-state physics of various polymeric materials, ranging from crystalline polymers to liquid crystalline polymers, and block copolymers. First, symmetry operation, space groups, reciprocal spaces are introduced. Examples of the crystalline structures of industrially important polymers and typical polymer crystalline morphology such as lamellar and spherulitic crystals are discussed. Defects in crystalline polymer is also an important issue that determines their physical properties. Second, typical phase structure and transitions of liquid crystals and liquid crystalline polymers are introduced, including both thermotropic and lyotropic liquid crystals. Finally, nanostructure and morphology of block copolymers are discussed. Prereq: EMAC 402 and EMAC 403 .