Chapter 8: Study Guide and Self-Assessment
In the first few chapters of this ebook we have focused on what can be termed “local” structure, the arrangements of monomers in a chain and the synthetic methods that give rise to these microstructures. In this chapter we shift to a longer length scale, starting with the conformations available to a chain and moving on to how these chains can become organized into large-scale ordered structures through crystallization, or, in the case of block copolymers, self-assemble as a result of phase separation. Along the way we will also consider the forces between chains—how they interact with one another. This sets the stage for subsequent chapters on properties and processing.
Objectives
Upon successfully completing this chapter you should have:
- A broad knowledge of the states of matter in which polymers can exist (e.g., viscoelastic melt, glassy solid, semicrystalline solid, etc.).
- An understanding of the types of interactions that can occur between segments of a polymer chain and a feel for their relative strengths.
- A knowledge of the steric factors that control chain conformations and how this depends on microstructure (e.g., tacticity in vinyl polymers).
- An understanding of the random walk (flight) statistics, the root mean square end-to-end distance and how this provides an initial, qualitative understanding of the basis of rubber elasticity.
- A familiarity with the principle morphologies found in semicrystalline polymers (single crystal lamellae, spherulites and fibers).
- An understanding of how block copolymers can phase-separate and self-assemble to form ordered structures.
Self-Assessment Questions