Polymers are huge macromolecules composed of repeating structural units. While polymer in popular usage suggests plastic, the term actually refers to a large class of natural and synthetic materials. Due to the extraordinary range of properties accessible, polymers have come to play an essential and ubiquitous role in everyday life - from plastics and elastomers on the one hand to natural biopolymers such as DNA and proteins on the other hand. The study of polymer science begins with understanding the methods in which these materials are synthesized. Polymer synthesis is a complex procedure and can take place in a variety of ways. This book brings together the "Who is who" of polymer science to give the readers an overview of the large field of polymer synthesis. It is a one-stop reference and a must-have for all Chemists, Polymer Chemists, Chemists in Industry, and Materials Scientists.

The first English edition of this book was pubUshed in 1971 with the late Prof. Dr. Werner Kern as coauthor. In 1997, for the preparation of the third edition, Prof. Dr. Helmut Ritter joined the team of authors and in 2001 Prof. Dr. Brigitte Voit and Prof. Dr. Matthias Rehahn complemented this team. The change in authors has not altered the basic concept of this 4th edition: again we were not aimed at compiling a comprehensive collection of recipes. In stead, we attempted to reach a broader description of the general methods and techniques for the synthesis, modification, and characterization of macromo- cules, supplemented by 105 selected and detailed experiments and by sufficient theoretical treatment so that no additional textbook be needed in order to under stand the experiments. In addition to the preparative aspects we have also tried to give the reader an impression of the relation of chemical structure and mor phology of polymers to their properties, as well as of areas of their application.

Covering a broad range of polymer science topics, Handbook of Polymer Synthesis, Characterization, and Processing provides polymer industry professionals and researchers in polymer science and technology with a single, comprehensive handbook summarizing all aspects involved in the polymer production chain. The handbook focuses on industrially important polymers, analytical techniques, and formulation methods, with chapters covering step-growth, radical, and co-polymerization, crosslinking and grafting, reaction engineering, advanced technology applications, including conjugated, dendritic, and nanomaterial polymers and emulsions, and characterization methods, including spectroscopy, light scattering, and microscopy.

How can a scientist or engineer synthesize and utilize polymers to solve our daily problems? This introductory text, aimed at the advanced undergraduate or graduate student, provides future scientists and engineers with the fundamental knowledge of polymer design and synthesis to achieve specific properties required in everyday applications. In the first five chapters, this book discusses the properties and characterization of polymers, since designing a polymer initially requires us to understand the effects of chemical structure on physical and chemical characteristics. Six further chapters discuss the principles of polymerization reactions including step, radical chain, ionic chain, chain copolymerization, coordination and ring opening. Finally, material is also included on how commonly known polymers are synthesized in a laboratory and a factory. This book is suitable for a one semester course in polymer chemistry and does not demand prior knowledge of polymer science.

This laboratory manual covers important techniques for polymer synthesis and characterization, and provides newcomers with a comprehensive introduction to the basic principles of highlighted techniques. The reader will benefit from the clear writing style and straightforward approach to fairly complex ideas. The book also provides references that the more advanced reader can use to obtain in-depth explanations of techniques. Polymer Synthesis and Characterization will serve as a useful resource for industrial technicians and researchers in polymer chemistry and physics, material science, and analytical chemistry. - Combines the extensive industrial and teaching experience of the authors - Introduces the user to the concept of "Good Manufacturing Practice" - Presents experiments that are representative of a wide variety of polymerization and characterization methods - Includes numerous references for more advanced students, technicians, and researcher

Conjugated polymers are gaining a lot of interest due to their inherent functional properties and applications in plastic electronics. Their characteristic charge transporting and conducting properties produces features including coloration, photoluminescence, electroluminescence, photoconductivity, and electrochromism. In order to develop new functional polymers, researchers need the background information on the synthesis of the different polymer systems. Conjugated Polymers focuses on the practical preparation of conjugated polymers with each chapter discussing a particular type of conjugated polymer including a general explanation of the polymer, experimental details for synthesis and characterization. Edited by world leading experts in the field of conjugated polymer synthesis, the book serves as a convenient guide for advanced undergraduate level and above.

45 years after the discovery of transition metals and organometallics as cocatalysts for the polymerization of olefins and for organic synthesis, these compounds have not lost their fascination. The birthday of Karl Ziegler, the great pioneer in this metalorganic catalysis, is now 100 years ago. Polyolefins and polydienes produced by Ziegler-Natta catalysis are the most important plastics and elastomers. New impulses for the polymerization of olefins have been brought about by highly active metallocenes and other single site catalysts. Just by changing the ligands of the organometallic compounds, the structure of the polymers produced can be tailored in a wide manner. In invited lectures and posters, relevant aspects of the metalorganic catalysts for synthesis and polymerization are discussed in this book. This includes mechanism and kinetics, stereochemistry, material properties, and industrial applications.

Functionalized polymers are macromolecules to which chemically bound functional groups are attached which can be used as catalysts, reagents, protective groups, etc. Functionalized polymers have low cost, ease of processing and attractive features for functional organic molecules. Chemical reactions for the introduction of functional groups in polymers and the conversion of functional groups in polymers depend on different properties. Such properties are of great importance for functionalization reactions for possible applications of reactive polymers. This book deals with the synthesis and design of various functional polymers, the modification of preformed polymer backbones and their various applications.

Silicon Based Polymers presents highlights in advanced research and technological innovations using macromolecular organosilicon compounds and systems, as presented in the 2007 ISPO congress. Silicon-containing materials and polymers are used all over the world and in a variety of industries, domestic products and high technology applications. Among them, silicones are certainly the most well–known, however there are still new properties discovered and preparative processes developed all the time, therefore adding to their potential. Less known, but in preparation for the future, are other silicon containing-polymers which are now close to maturity and in fact some are already available like polysilsesquioxanes and polysilanes. All these silicon based materials can adopt very different structures like chains, dendrimers, hyperbranched and networks, physical and chemical gels. The result is a vast array of materials with applications in various areas such as optics, electronics, ionic electrolytes, liquid crystals, biomaterials, ceramics and concrete, paints and coatings ... all needed to face the environmental, energetical and technological issues of today. Some industrial aspects of the applications of these materials will also be presented.