Introduction to Polymers

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 POLYMERSConcepts and NomenclatureThe Origins of Polymer Science and the Polymer IndustryBasic Definitions and NomenclatureMolar Mass and Degree of Polymerization Principles of PolymerizationIntroductionClassification of Polymerization ReactionsMonomer Functionality and Polymer Skeletal StructureFunctional Group Reactivity and Molecular Size: The Principle of Equal Reactivity Step PolymerizationIntroductionLinear Step PolymerizationNon-Linear Step Polymerization Radical PolymerizationIntroduction to Radical PolymerizationThe Chemistry of Conventional Free-Radical PolymerizationKinetics of Conventional Free-Radical PolymerizationFree-Radical Polymerization ProcessesReversible-Deactivation (‘Living’) Radical PolymerizationsNon-Linear Radical Polymerizations Ionic PolymerizationIntroduction to Ionic PolymerizationCationic PolymerizationAnionic PolymerizationGroup-Transfer Polymerization Stereochemistry and Coordination PolymerizationIntroduction to Stereochemistry of PolymerizationTacticity of PolymersGeometric Isomerism in Polymers Prepared from Conjugated DienesZiegler–Natta Coordination PolymerizationMetallocene Coordination Polymerization Ring-Opening PolymerizationIntroduction to Ring-Opening PolymerizationCationic Ring-Opening PolymerizationAnionic Ring-Opening PolymerizationFree-Radical Ring-Opening PolymerizationRing-Opening Metathesis Polymerization Specialized Methods of Polymer SynthesisIntroductionSolid-State Topochemical PolymerizationPolymerization by Oxidative CouplingPrecursor Routes to Intractable PolymersSupramolecular Polymerization (Polyassociation) CopolymerizationIntroductionStep CopolymerizationChain CopolymerizationBlock Copolymer SynthesisGraft Copolymer Synthesis CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYMERSTheoretical Description of Polymers in SolutionIntroductionThermodynamics of Polymer SolutionsChain DimensionsFrictional Properties of Polymer Molecules in Dilute Solution Number-Average Molar MassIntroduction to Measurements of Number-Average Molar MassMembrane OsmometryVapour Pressure OsmometryEbulliometry and CryoscopyEnd-Group AnalysisEffects of Low Molar Mass Impurities upon Mn Scattering MethodsIntroductionStatic Light ScatteringDynamic Light ScatteringSmall-Angle X-Ray and Neutron Scattering Frictional Properties of Polymers in SolutionIntroductionDilute Solution ViscometryUltracentrifugation Molar Mass DistributionIntroductionFractionationGel Permeation ChromatographyField-Flow FractionationMass Spectroscopy Chemical Composition and Molecular MicrostructureIntroductionPrinciples of SpectroscopyUltraviolet and Visible Light Absorption SpectroscopyInfrared SpectroscopyRaman SpectroscopyNuclear Magnetic Resonance SpectroscopyMass Spectroscopy PHASE STRUCTURE AND MORPHOLOGY OF BULK POLYMERSThe Amorphous StateIntroductionThe Glass TransitionFactors Controlling the TgMacromolecular Dynamics The Crystalline StateIntroductionDetermination of Crystal StructurePolymer Single CrystalsSemi-Crystalline PolymersLiquid Crystalline PolymersDefects in Crystalline PolymersCrystallizationMelting Multicomponent Polymer SystemsIntroductionPolymer BlendsBlock Copolymers PROPERTIES OF BULK POLYMERSElastic DeformationIntroductionElastic DeformationElastic Deformation of Polymers ViscoelasticityIntroductionViscoelastic Mechanical ModelsBoltzmann Superposition PrincipleDynamic Mechanical TestingFrequency Dependence of Viscoelastic BehaviourTransitions and Polymer StructureTime–Temperature SuperpositionEffect of EntanglementsNon-Linear Viscoelasticity ElastomersIntroductionThermodynamics of Elastomer DeformationStatistical Theory of Elastomer DeformationStress–Strain Behaviour of ElastomersFactors Affecting Mechanical Behaviour Yield and CrazingIntroductionPhenomenology of YieldYield CriteriaDeformation MechanismsCrazing Fracture and TougheningIntroductionFundamentals of FractureMechanics of FractureFracture PhenomenaToughened Polymers Polymer CompositesIntroduction to Composite MaterialsMatrix MaterialsTypes of ReinforcementComposite CompositionParticulate ReinforcementFibre ReinforcementNanocomposites Electrical PropertiesIntroduction to Electrical PropertiesDielectric PropertiesConduction in PolymersPolymer Electronics Answers to Problems Index Problems and Further Reading appear at the end of each chapter.

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.