Advanced Polymer Synthesis II - Supramolecular Chemistry of Advanced Materials

Lecturer(s)

Dr. H. Frauenrath, Prof. P. Walde

Hour(s) of lecture(s), exercise(s) and credit points

3L
1E
7CP

The theoretical part is divided into Advanced Polymer Synthesis I and Advanced Polymer Synthesis II, which are independent from one another and will be taught in two subsequent semesters

Teaching goals

This class aims to explain that the "chemical synthesis" of advanced polymer materials does not only involve covalent bond formation; that their "structure" does not only refer to their molecular structure, i.e., constitution and configuration; and that, most importantly, all of their material properties are not only governed by this molecular structure. The supramolecular chemistry of polymers plays a decisive role. It is the intramolecular non-covalent interactions that control the conformation of a polymer chain, its secondary structure, and, therefore, its overall shape and shape persistence. It is the intermolecular non-covalent interactions that determine the aggregation and microphase segregation of polymers. Consequently, these non-covalent interactions give rise to hierarchical structure formation and exert an important influence on the material properties. In analogy to modern organic chemistry and biochemistry, the preparation of advanced polymers tries to take these aspects into account. The building blocks used in modern polymer synthesis often attempt to encode the supramolecular behavior into the molecular structure. The class aims to provide an understanding of the underlying principles, discuss the consequences and give illustrative examples of modern applications, such as organic optoelectronic materials, shape-memory polymers, or self-assembled nanoscopic objects. In this context, an important part of this class will be the independent study of the original literature in the field.

Summary and outline

Chemical synthesis and applications of advanced polymer materials from the viewpoint of their supramolecular chemistry. Intramolecular and intermolecular interactions (conformation, aggregation, microphase segregation), hierarchical structure formation and their use in applications (e.g., nanostructured materials via self-assembly, polymers in optoelectronics, shape-memory polymers).

1. Introduction
1.1 Basic Concepts and Terminology in Polymer Chemistry
1.2 Non-covalent Interactions

2. Secondary Structure Formation - Conformations of Macromolecules
2.1 Polymer Chains in Solution - Random Coil, Helix, Extended Chain
2.2 Flexibility and Rigidity of Macromolecules
2.3 Helical Polymers and Foldamers
2.4 Shape-Persistent Cylindrical Moelcular Objects from Dendronized Polymers

3. Toward Hierarchically Structured Materials
3.1 Rigid Rod Polymers and Liquid-Crystallinity in Polymers
3.2 Block Copolymers and the Role of Microphase Segregation
3.3 Rodcoil Block Copolymers and the Self-Assembly of Nanoscopic Objects
3.4 Thermoplastic Elastomers and Shape Memory Polymers
3.5 Examples of Higher Structure Formation in Biopolymers

4. Chemistry and Aggregation of Polymerizable Surfactants and Polymer Surfactants
4.1 Introduction to Surfactant Chemistry and Aggregation
4.2 From Simple Surfactants to Amphiphilic Block Copolymers
4.3 Polymerization of Aggregates from Polymerizable Surfactants
4.4 Aggregates from Polymer Surfactants
4.5 Biomimetic Aspects

5. Topochemical Polymerizations - Polymerizations in Organized Media
5.1 Solid State Polymerization of Diacetylene Derivatives
5.2 Diacetylene Polymerization in Self-Assembled Mono- and Multilayers
5.3 Other Examples of Topochemical Polymerizations

6. Advanced Polymer Materials for Optoelectronic Applications
6.1 Electrically Conducting Polymers
6.2 Electroluminescent Polymers
6.3 Other Examples of Polymer Based Electronic Devices

Literature

Lecture notes will be provided

Introduction to macromolecular chemistry: J. M. G. Cowie, "Polymers: Chemistry and Physics of Modern Materials", Nelson Thornes Ltd, Cheltenham, UK, 2002.
Introduction to supramolecular chemistry: J. W. Steed, J. L. Atwood, "Supramolecular Chemistry", John Wiley & Sons, New York, 2000