Course Overview

> Learning objectives are:

- Acquiring the basic concepts of polymer solution thermodynamics.
-  Knowing the characteristic physicochemical variables (size, mass,
geometry) and essential properties (viscosity, osmotic pressure,
solubility, etc.). Being able to use the experimental techniques which
permit the measurement of these properties (tonometry, osmometry,
viscosimetry, light scattering, etc.).

Learning Achievement

Competence

Course prerequisites

- Academic level: BSc as well as notions in polymer science and
thermodynamics.
- Selection criteria: basic knowledge in chemistry and/or physical
chemistry.
- Language prerequisites: English or French.
- Selection procedure: evaluation of the student's CV

Grading Philosophy

>Evaluation of practical sessions based on results obtained in the
labs and evaluation of the written reports = 30 % of the overall mark
- Written final exam: 1h 30 = 50 % of the overall mark - Quiz = 20%
of the overall mark.

> In case of failure, a second session will be organized for the final
exam, either as a written final exam (3h) or an oral session depending
on the number of failing students= 70% of the final mark. Marks from
the practical session will be kept from session 1 (30%). This 2nd
session will take place at the end of June.

Course schedule

Course content includes:

Part 1: Flory-Huggins theory – Scaling laws> Introduction
>Thermodynamics of simple mixtures
- Gibbs energy – chemical potential - Ideal solutions, entropy
calculation - The regular solution model
- Excess parameters. - Solubility and demixtion predictions using
the Khi parameter - Hildebrand approach > Flory Huggins theory
(Polymer solution)
- Flory’s questions - Flory’s hypothesis - Flory expression for
the Gibbs energy and the chemical potential - Solubility prediction
and phase diagrams - Osmotic pressure > Conformations of isolated
chains
- Ideal chain model - Real chain model : Flory calculation > Various
concentration regimes and their scaling laws
- Dilute and semi dilute regime - Scaling law in semi dilute
solutions Part 2 : Characterization of polymer solutions>
Introduction: differences with “small” molecules
> Limits of the Flory theory
- Krigbaum approach: notion of excluded volume > Characterization
methods for polymers or colloidal solutions
> Thermodynamical methods:
- Osmometry – mass, solvent quality. Scaling laws predictions -
Tonometry - Ebulliometry - Cryoscopy - Advantages and limits of
these techniques > Hydrodynamical methods:
- Size exclusion chromatography Connection with polymer solution
thermodynamics
Numbers of plateau, efficiencyof the columns separation ability

> Viscosimetry
- Dilute regime: Einstein relation, intrinsic viscosity.
- Semi-dilute regime : viscosity – concentration variation > Light
scattering
- General expression of the scattered intensity, contrast - Static
light scattering: RG, MW, second Virial coefficient A2. - Dynamic
light scattering : RH - Examples > Perspectives: different
applications.

Course type

- Lectures (main lectures are taught in French but all written supports are available in English or French): 20 lectures of 1h20. - Exercise session (in French or English): 7 sessions of 1h20. - Practical session (in French or English): 4 sessions of 4 hours. - Tutoring (for non-French speaking persons): 9 session of 1h20. - Teaching supports available on the Moodle platform - 105 Self-study hours: (50 hours private reading, 20 hours exam preparation, 20 hours exercise preparation, 15 hours of  preparation/report of practical session.

Online Course Requirement

Instructor

Other information

Duration: 12 weeks

Language of instruction: English
Mode of delivery: Face-to-face teaching

Site for Inquiry