The Science of Polymer Molecules [Paperback]

An introduction concerning the synthesis, structure and properties of the individual molecules constituting polymeric materials.This book is an introduction to polymers and focuses on the synthesis, structure and properties of the individual molecules that constitute polymeric materials. It approaches polymeric materials from a molecular basis on the belief that there is a common core of knowledge and principles concerning polymer molecules that can be set out in an introductory work. The book is characterised by a detailed development of principles rather than by presentation of results, and can be used as a self-study guide as well as a textbook.This book is an introduction to polymers and focuses on the synthesis, structure and properties of the individual molecules that constitute polymeric materials. It approaches polymeric materials from a molecular basis on the belief that there is a common core of knowledge and principles concerning polymer molecules that can be set out in an introductory work. The book is characterised by a detailed development of principles rather than by presentation of results, and can be used as a self-study guide as well as a textbook.This book is an introduction to polymers that focuses on the synthesis, structure, and properties of the individual molecules that constitute polymeric materials. The authors approach the subject matter from a molecular basis and carefully develop principles from an elementary starting point. Their discussion includes an overview of polymer synthesis, an introduction to the concept and measurement of molecular weight, a detailed view of polymer kinetics and the three-dimensional architecture of polymers, and a statistical description of disorder.Preface; 1. Polymerization: an overview; 2. Molecular weight and molecular weight distribution; 3. Molecular weight determination; 4. Polymerization: kinetics and mechanism; 5. Three-dimensional architecture: conformation and stereochemical configuration; 6. Thel#]