Polymer Science and Engineering

Polymer Science and Engineering is an interdisciplinary field that investigates the synthesis, structure, and properties of polymers—large macromolecules that constitute materials like plastics, rubbers, fibers, and adhesives. It merges principles from chemistry and physics to understand the fundamental relationships between a polymer's molecular architecture and its macroscopic behavior, such as strength, elasticity, and thermal stability. As a sub-discipline of chemical engineering, it applies this scientific knowledge to design, process, and manufacture polymer-based materials into a vast range of useful products, focusing on reactor design for polymerization, process control for manufacturing, and the development of novel materials for advanced applications.

  1. Introduction to Polymer Science and Engineering
    1. Fundamental Concepts
      1. Definition of a Polymer
        1. Definition of a Monomer
          1. Degree of Polymerization
            1. Number-Average Degree of Polymerization
              1. Weight-Average Degree of Polymerization
              2. Repeat Unit Concept
                1. Historical Development of Polymer Materials
                  1. Early Use of Natural Polymers
                    1. Development of Synthetic Polymers
                      1. Milestones in Polymer Science
                      2. Importance of Polymers in Modern Society
                      3. Classification of Polymers
                        1. By Origin
                          1. Natural Polymers
                            1. Polysaccharides
                              1. Proteins
                                1. Nucleic Acids
                                  1. Natural Rubber
                                  2. Synthetic Polymers
                                    1. Addition Polymers
                                      1. Condensation Polymers
                                    2. By Thermal Behavior
                                      1. Thermoplastics
                                        1. Characteristics of Thermoplastics
                                          1. Common Examples
                                          2. Thermosets
                                            1. Characteristics of Thermosets
                                              1. Common Examples
                                              2. Elastomers
                                                1. Characteristics of Elastomers
                                                  1. Common Examples
                                                2. By Monomer Composition
                                                  1. Homopolymers
                                                    1. Definition and Examples
                                                    2. Copolymers
                                                      1. Random Copolymers
                                                        1. Alternating Copolymers
                                                          1. Block Copolymers
                                                            1. Graft Copolymers
                                                          2. By Polymer Architecture
                                                            1. Linear Polymers
                                                              1. Structure and Properties
                                                              2. Branched Polymers
                                                                1. Short-Chain Branching
                                                                  1. Long-Chain Branching
                                                                  2. Cross-linked Polymers
                                                                    1. Network Structure
                                                                    2. Dendrimers
                                                                      1. Structure and Synthesis
                                                                        1. Generation Concept
                                                                    3. Nomenclature of Polymers
                                                                      1. Source-Based Nomenclature
                                                                        1. Structure-Based Nomenclature
                                                                          1. IUPAC Nomenclature Rules
                                                                            1. Common Names and Trade Names
                                                                              1. Abbreviations and Symbols