BIRLA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, Pilani

Pilani Campus
AUGS/ AGSR Division

SECOND SEMESTER 2023-24

COURSE HANDOUT
Date: 05 Jan 2024

In addition to part I (General Handout for all courses appended to the Time table) this portion gives further
specific details regarding the course.
Course No : CHEM F325
Course Title : Polymer Chemistry
Instructor-in-Charge : BIBHAS RANJAN SARKAR
Instructor(s) : --
Tutorial/Practical Instructors: --
1. Course Description:
The objective of the present course is to introduce the foundation of the subject by studying types and
structures of polymers, molecular weight of polymers, kinetics of polymerization, thermodynamics of polymer
solutions, thermal and mechanical properties of solid polymers, polymer’s viscoelasticity and rubber elasticity,
commodity, network, engineering and specialty polymers and applications for polymers in separations,
biotechnology and electronics.
2. Scope and Objective of the Course:
The objective of the course is to introduce the foundation of the subject by studying types and structures of
polymers, molecular weight of polymers, kinetics of polymerization, thermodynamics of polymer solutions,
thermal and mechanical properties of solid polymers, polymer’s viscoelasticity and rubber elasticity,
commodity, network, engineering and specialty polymers and applications for polymers in separations,
biotechnology and electronics.
3. Text Books:`
TB: Fried, Joel R., Polymer Science and Technology, 2nd Edition, Prentice-Hall of India Pvt. Ltd. New
Delhi, 2005.
4. Reference Books:
RB: Bahadur, P. and Sastry, N.V., Principles of polymer Science, Narosa Publishing House, New Delhi,
2002
5. Course Plan:
Reference
Module Lec. No. Major Descriptors
(Ch./ Sec.)
Introduction to polymer science
TB 1.1-1.4,
1-5 (i) Classification of polymers; (ii) Polymer structure and isomerism; (iii) Molecular
RB 1.2
weight and chemical structure and thermal transitions
1
Learning Outcomes:
(i) Describe the classification of polymers, (ii) Write structure and, molecular weights of polymers (iii)
Correlate the chemical structure and thermal transitions and other properties.

Synthesis of polymers TB 2.1-

2 6-8
(i) Step-growth polymerization; (ii) Chain-growth polymerization 2.2

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 BIRLA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, Pilani
Pilani Campus
AUGS/ AGSR Division

Learning Outcomes:
(i) Describe the synthesis process of different kinds of polymers, (ii) discuss the kinetics of different types of
polymerization reactions involved
Synthesis Techniques
9 (i) Polymerization techniques, (ii) Reactions of synthetic polymers, and (iii) Special TB 2.3-2.5
topics in polymer synthesis
Learning Outcomes:
(i) Describe the different techniques of polymerization, (ii) Write the chemical reactions for the
polymerization reactions, (iii) Describe the reactions of other synthetic polymers

10 Polymer conformations and chain dimensions TB 3.1

3 Learning Outcomes:
(i) Describe the different models to explain polymer conformations, and chain dimensions (ii) Identify
particular model for specific polymers as per chain dimensions/ conformations
Thermodynamics of polymer solutions
TB 3.2.1 &
Difference of polymer solutions than ordinary solutions – theromodynamics.
11 3.2.2,
(i) Flory-Huggins theory and (ii) Flory-Krigbaum and (iii) modified Flory-Huggins
RB 4.3
theory
Learning Outcomes:
(i) Describe the thermodynamic aspects of polymer solutions, (ii) Differentiate and analyze between
different theoretical backgrounds for polymer solution

Thermodynamics of polymer solutions

12 TB 3.2.4
Phase equilibria
4
Learning Outcomes:
(i) Describe the phasic behavior of polymer/ solutions, (ii) Analyze/ interpret properties from phasic
description of polymer solutions
TB 3.2.5 &
Thermodynamics of polymer solutions
13 3.2.6
Determination of interaction parameters and prediction of solubilities of polymers
RB 4.3
Learning Outcomes:
(i) Discuss the parametric interactions responsible for polymer solubilities (ii) Determine/ predict polymer
solubility based on understanding of interaction of different guiding parameters

Determination of molecular weights of polymers

Principles behind both primary and secondary methods of determination of TB 3.3.1-
13-16 molecular weights of polymers 3.3.4,
(i) Osmometry, (ii) Light scattering method, (iii) Intrinsic viscosity measurements, (iv) RB 3.3.3
Gel-permeation chromatography
5
Learning Outcomes:
(i) Describe the different methods for determination of molecular weights of polymers, (ii) Differentiate
between the primary and secondary methods, (iii) Differentiate between the applicable methods and make
choices appropriately

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 BIRLA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, Pilani
Pilani Campus
AUGS/ AGSR Division

Solid state properties of polymers TB 4.1.1-

(i) Amorphous state 4.1.3
TB 4.2.1 -
(ii) Crystalline state
4.2.4
17-22 TB 4.3.1 &
(iii) Thermal transitions and properties
4.3.2
(iv) Structure property relationships, Effects of molecular weights, composition and TB 4.3.3 &
pressure on Tg 4.3.4
(v) Mechanical properties TB 4.4

6 Learning Outcomes:
(i) Describe the different state of occurrence of solid polymers, (ii) Describe the thermal behavior of solid
polymers, (iii) Analyze the effects different parameters of molecular weights, composition etc. on different
aspects of polymers
Viscoelasticity and rubber elasticity TB 5.1.1,
23-24 (i) Introduction to viscoelasticity RB 4.4

(ii) Introduction to rubber elasticity TB 5.2

Learning Outcomes:
(i) Describe the types of polymer elasticity, (ii) Differentiate between the types of polymer elasticity, (iii)
discuss the factors influencing the important elasticity properties

Polymer degradation and the environment

TB 6.1 &
25 (i) Effects of environmental agents on polymers (ii) Polymer degradation, stability
6.2
and management
7 Learning Outcomes:
(i) Describe the basic terminologies and concepts of degradation of polymers, (ii) Illustrate conceptual
understanding of environmental aspects of polymer degradation, (iii) Analyze case studies based on
acquired concepts
Polymer additives, blends and composites
26-28 TB 7.1- 7.3
Effect of additives, blends and composites on the properties of polymers
8 Learning Outcomes:
(i) Describe the function of polymers as additives, blend components and performance enhancers, (ii)
illustrate the functional properties of polymer composites, types etc. (iii) Describe the different applications
of polymer composites and their methods of preparations
Biopolymers and Natural polymers
29 TB 8.1
(i) Polymers in biological systems, (ii) other biopolymers
Learning Outcomes:
(i) Describe the function of polymers in biological systems, (ii) Illustrate the structure – function relationship
9 of the biopolymers, (iii) Discuss the probable bio-mimetic polymer options
Commodity thermoplastics and fibers TB 8.2, 9.1
30-31
Understand the different types, properties of (i) Fibers, (ii) Thermoplastics RB 5.2-5.3
Learning Outcomes:
(i) Describe the different types of application polymers in our regular activities, (ii) Discuss the essential
differences between the types and forms.

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 BIRLA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, Pilani
Pilani Campus
AUGS/ AGSR Division

Network polymers
32-33 Understand the different types, properties of network polymers, (i) Elastomers, (ii) TB 9.2-9.3
Thermosets
Learning Outcomes:
(i) Describe the structure, nature and properties of network polymers, (ii) Discuss the different applications
of network polymers – specialized applications
Engineering and specialty polymers
TB 10.1-
Introduction to some outstanding polymers and their properties and comparison
34-35 10.2
with commodity thermoplastics [(i) Engineering thermoplastics, (ii) Specialty
RB Ch 8
polymers]
Learning Outcomes:
(i) Describe the classification of engineering polymers, (ii) Discuss the properties responsible for application
of polymers as engineering and specialty polymers
Modern applications of polymers
Applications for polymers in separations, biotechnology and electronics (i) TB 12.1-
36-38
Membrane separations & preparations, (ii) Biomedical applications, (iii) Applications 12.4
in electronic and photonic polymers
Learning Outcomes:
(i) Describe the modern applications of polymers such as biomedical applications – their structural and
functional requirements, (ii) Illustrate the necessity of polymers for electronics and electrical applications,
energy applications etc.

Miscellaneous emerging trends Lecture

39-40
(i) Polymers in energy applications, (ii) Bio-waste derived polymers and prospects notes

Learning Outcomes:
(i) Describe the different emerging trends in use of alternative resources for polymers – both research and
industry, (ii) Discuss the future directions in polymer research and sustainability

6. Evaluation Scheme:
Weightage Nature of component
Component Duration Date & Time
(%) (Close Book/ Open Book)
Continuous
@ 20 min 30 continuously Closed Book
Evaluation
Mid-Semester Test 90 min 25 12 Mar AN1 Open &/or Closed Book
Comprehensive
180 min 45 10 May FN Open &/or Closed Book
Examination

7. Chamber Consultation Hour: Tuesdays 5-6 pm

8. Notices: All notices regarding the course will be displayed in Nalanda and/ or Department of Chemistry
Notice board.
9. Make-up Policy: Make up would be considered only for genuine reasons

Bibhas R. Sarkar
Instructor-in-charge
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BIRLA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, Pilani
Pilani Campus
AUGS/ AGSR Division

Course No. CHEM F325