Polymers and Material Chemistry

Introduction, classification of polymers, average molecular weight, number-average and weight-average molecular weights, sedimentation and viscosity average molecular weights. Polydispersity and molecular weight distribution, practical significance of molecular weight. Measurement of molecular weights: end-group, viscosity, light scattering, osmotic and ultra centrifugation methods.

Morphology and order in crystalline polymers: configuration of polymer chains, crystal structure of polymers, morphology of crystalline polymers, crystallization and melting, strain-induced morphology, crystallization and melting, glass transition temperature T_g, factors affecting T_g, crystalline melting point T_m, factors affecting T_m.  

Mechanism of stepwise polymerization, kinetics and statistics of linear stepwise polymerization, polyfunctional step-reaction polymerization: prediction of gel point. Kinetics of free radical chain polymerization, cationic  and anionic polymerization and Kinetics of copolymerization.

Higher boranes, carboranes, metalloboranes and metallocarboranes, compounds with         metal-metal multiple bonds. 

Classification, structure, properties and applications of naturally occurring silicates and      aluminosilicates. Synthesis of pillared clays and zeolites. Characterization of clays and zeolites from measurement of surface area, surface activity            pore size, distribution and       interlayer spacing. Application of clays, pillared clays and zeolites with emphasis of     catalyses.