Polymers Nanotechnology

							MSc Polymers and Molecular Nanotechnology – Syllabus Outline

1. Research Methods (20 Credits)

The aim of this module is to provide a comprehensive, systematic and critical
overview of research methods, including both qualitative and quantitative methods, to
enable to student to adopt the most appropriate approach to a research project such
that she/he is capable of creating new knowledge and understanding at the forefront
of a discipline. Central to the aims of the module are the development of intellectual
and communication skills necessary in the effective planning, implementation and
management of a programme of original research.

Module Content:

_       Identifying and defining a research question
_       Access to the literature.
_       Writing a grant application.
_       Qualitative versus quantitative research.
_       Quantitative and statistical analysis.
_       Project management and experimental design.
_       Writing reports and research papers.
_       Oral and poster presentations.
_       Legal, ethical and safety questions.
_       Seeking collaboration and help with research


2. Characterisation and Analysis of Nanostructured Materials (20 Credits)

The aims of this module are to provide a critical and systematic understanding, at the
forefront of current knowledge, of modern instrumental techniques suited to the
characterisation of the physicochemical and microstructural properties of complex
fluids and nanostructured materials. This module serves to introduce the principles
and practice of such techniques - more advanced knowledge of their specific
applications will be provided throughout the specialist modules, prior to gaining
practical experience during the Research Project.

Module Content:

Light scattering photometry: static (total intensity) light scattering, photon correlation
spectroscopy, electrophoretic light scattering – Basic theory, principles and practice.
Applicability to soluble macromolecules, self-assembling polymers, particulate
systems. Molar mass determination,

Laser diffraction and multiple light scattering (Turbiscan): Basic theory, principles and
practice. Applicability to colloidal and particulate systems.

Resonance spectroscopies (NMR, PGSE NMR, EPR) relevant to complex fluids:
Basic theory, principles and practice. Elucidation of molecular structure and
sequence distribution in polymers. Elucidation of hydrodynamic size and diffusion
coefficient – molecular self assembly. Spin labelling and spin probe techniques in
ESR. Study of conformational change, self-assembly, qualification of polymer
adsorption and conformation of adsorbed layers.

Small angle scattering: SANS, SAXS – Basic theory, principles and practice. Data
fitting techniques. Applicability to self assembling polymers and absorbed polymer
layers.

Microscopy: TEM, SEM, SPM techniques, confocal scanning microscopy, Raman
microscopy – Basic principles, applicability and practice to colloidal, macromolecular
and thin-film systems. Sample preparation and artefacts.

Polymer fractionation techniques: SEC, FFF, gel electrophoresis. Basic theory,
principles and practice Method development for aqueous and non-aqueous
techniques. Strategies for high molar mass materials. Strategies for biopolymers
and gelling systems – hydrocolloids and proteins.

Thermal analysis: Basic principles, theory and practice. Micro DSC in the study of
phase behaviour and conformational change. Isothermal

Mass spectrometry of polymers: MALDI TOF MS – Basic theory, principles and
practice. Applicability to proteins, polyethers, controlled architecture systems.

Surface analysis methods: SIMS, XPS – Basic theory, principles and practice.

Rheometrical Techniques: Rotational rheometry, extensional rheometry, capillary
rheometry – Basic principles and instrument design. Specific techniques for
complex fluids – experimental errors and measuring geometry selection.


3. Rheology of Complex Fluids and Soft Solids (20 Credits)

The aims of this module are:

To provide a systematic knowledge and understanding of the experimental rheology
of complex fluids and soft solids.

To provide a systematic knowledge of modern rheometrical instrumentation and its
mode of operation

To enable to student to development experimental protocols suited to the
characterisation of complex formulated products

To enable the student to analyse and interpret critically complex rheological data and
demonstrate originality in problem solving.

Module Content:

Fundamentals of flow and deformation: Stress distribution in fluids, strain and strain
rate. Simple shear and extensional flow.

Behaviour of solids, liquids and viscoelastic materials: Linear and non-linear
viscoelasticity. Scaling of time in rheometrical studies. Gels and structured fluids.
Behaviour of complex fluids in small amplitude oscillatory shear: Derivation and
interpretation of the material functions. Experimental approaches. Correlation with
behaviour in steady shear.

Interpretation of rheometrical data: Correlation with microstructure – phase
behaviour, network connectivity and dynamics. Use of microscopic/scattering
techniques in combination with rheometry.

Rheology of polymer solutions: Theoretical approaches, bead-spring and reptation
approaches. Behaviour in the dilute, non-dilute and entangled regimes. Scaling
laws. Influence of concentration and molar mass. Methods of reduced variables.

Rheology of suspensions and dispersions: Theoretical approaches for hard sphere,
charge and polymer stabilised systems. Influence of particle morphology and
volume fraction. Well dispersed and flocculated systems – avoidance of wall slip
artefacts. Dispersions in polymeric fluids.

Rheology of associating polymers and surfactants: Theoretical aspects of
micellisation and self assembly. Molecular architecture and structure-property
relationships. Scaling laws and correlation with phase behaviour. Specific
examples of linear and non-linear rheology.

Rheology of polysaccharides and hydrocolloids: Structure-property relationships.
Gelling and non-gelling systems. Disordered and conformationally ordered systems.

Technology of rheology modifiers: Classification by chemical type and end use.
Mechanism of action in aqueous media. Formulation optimisation and design.

Rheology of industrially important systems - case studies: Polymeric coatings, food
technology, electronics applications, pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.


4. Polymers, Surfactants and Complex Fluids (20 Credits)

Complex, self assembling fluids based on water soluble polymers and/or amphiphiles
are widely used in a range of industrial sectors – including water and effluent
treatment, paints and other surface coatings, paper making, pharmaceuticals and
biomedical applications, food and cosmetics etc. The aims of the module are to
provide the student with a systematic knowledge and understanding of the latest
developments relating to various systems of this type - including polymer synthesis,
molecular characterisation, physicochemical properties in solution, phase behaviour,
adsorption at interfaces and effects on colloid stability. Emphasis will be placed on
enabling the student to analyse and interpret critically complex data and to
demonstrate originality in problem solving.

Module Content:

Principles, practice and mechanistic aspects of the synthesis of polymers and
polymeric surfactants: Emulsion polymerisation, mini- and microemulsion
polymerisation. Controlled architecture polymerisation and block copolymers –
nitroxide mediated polymerisation, group transfer polymerisation,

Physiochemical characteristics and properties of polymers and amphiphiles in
solution: Theoretical and thermodynamic approaches. Behaviour of polymers in
the dilute, non-dilute and concentrated regimes. Micellisation and phase behaviour
of amphiphiles.

Properties and behaviour of polymers and amphiphiles at interfaces: polymeric
surfactants, use of polymers and amphiphiles to control colloid stability

Polymer – surfactant interactions: Specific examples, influence on phase behaviour
and micellisation. Hydrophobically associating polymers.

Polymers and amphiphiles as performance chemicals - industrial applications and
case studies: ink-jet printing, rotary and screen printing, electronics and displays
technology, drug delivery, wound care, tissue engineering.

Molecular structure – functionality relationships relevant to polysaccharides and
proteins: Functional properties of hydrocolloids in viscosification, gelation and
stabilisation. Technological applications of industrial hydrocolloids.


5. Fabrication, Properties and Applications of Nanostructured Materials (20
Credits)

The module is aimed at students who use, or wish to use, nanotechnology
professionally (e.g. in research, in product development and industry) or wish to
update their knowledge or improve their understanding of the principles behind
nanotechnology and its applications. The emphasis will be placed on the fabrication,
properties and applications of carbon nanotubes.

Specific aims include:

To provide a systematic knowledge and understanding of nanostructured materials,
with a strong emphasis on the intimate relationship between scale, size,
nanostructure and material properties.

To provide a systematic knowledge and critical awareness of the advanced
instrumentation used in the synthesis, fabrication and characterisation of
nanostructured materials and the principles behind their mode of operation.

To enable, through class exercises and specific case studies, the student to analyse
and interpret critically complex data and to show creativity in problem solving.

Module Content:

Fabrication and synthesis of nanostructures: Covers lithographic patterning methods
- optical lithography and its limitations, electron beam and its limitations, the use of
SPM (STM, AFM and SNOM) to fabricate nanostructures. Dip-pen AFM lithography.
Soft lithography using elastomeric stamps. Solution chemical routes to nanoparticles
of inorganic materials (metals, semiconductors, ceramics) and their shape control.
Non-equilibrium methods viz. CVD and MBE as a means for creating ultra-thin layers
and quantum dot nanostructures. CVD as a general synthesis technique for thin
films. Extreme nanotechnology using SPM as a fabrication tool.

Carbon nanotubes: Covers the different type of nanotubes, methods of synthesis
(arc-growth, laser ablation and particularly CVD routes). Properties of carbon
nanotubes and how they depend on their atomic structure. Applications of carbon
nanotubes covers field emission displays, structural composites, electrodes for
capacitors and energy storage, transistor action in nanotubes, gas analysers, ultra
sharp metrology AFM probes, actuators (artificial muscles), hydrogen storage.

Tools for characterisation of nanostructures: Covers transmission electron
microscopy (TEM) and its current state of the art, scanning electron microscopy
(SEM) and scanning probe microscopy (SPM) such as STM (Sc. tunneling Mic.),
AFM (atomic force Mic.) and SNOM (Sc. near-field optical Mic.). Also Raman
microscopy for characterisation of nanotubes. Variations of AFM (many!) to probe
structure and properties of surfaces viz. mechanical, electrical and chemical.

Current applications of nanotechnology in the market: Covers development of carbon
nanotube based composites for sports goods such as tennis racquets and cycle
components (frames, handlebars), nanocrystalline silver for bacterial inhibition,
nanotube based antistatic conductive coatings on plastic with high optical
transparency. Nanometric powders for energetic materials (propellants) and
sintered ceramics. Nanoparticle ZnO and TiO2 for sun barrier products. Solution
quantum dots for bio-markers.

Modelling and Simulation: General Introduction: New challenges in the design of
materials and electronic devices on the nanoscale, role of computation to meet these
challenges.

6. Project Plan and Literature Survey (20 Credits)

The aim of this module is to enable the student to identify a research topic, produce a plan for
a research project that seeks to develop knowledge and understanding at the forefront of a
scientific discipline.

To survey and review all the relevant research-based literature relating to the project to be
pursued and for which there is an associated Project Plan.

To evaluate critically the conclusions of previous, related research data and so validate the
timeliness and novelty of the Research Project to be undertaken.

Module Content:

•       Definitions of research
•       Identification of research problems, including the potential for application and
        exploitation.
•       Selection of appropriate techniques and methodologies
•       Evaluation of timescales for the project and the level of resources required.
•       Design of experiments.
•       Development of milestones and deliverables.
•       Benefits and appropriateness of collaboration.
•       IPR issues.
•       Costing of projects.
•       Evaluation methods for assessing the success of the project and impact on the
        scientific community.

•       Sources of research literature.
•       Methods of searching and collection.
•       Summarising techniques.
•       Evaluation techniques.
•       Breadth of review.
•       The critical review process.
•       Definitions and assessment of research novelty and timeliness
7. Research Project (60 Credits)

The module aims are:

To provide the learner with experience of undertaking a piece of original research.

To put into practice the knowledge and understanding, practical, intellectual and transferable
skills developed throughout the programme within the context of a longer term project

The research project may be conducted in collaboration with an industrial partner
who will provide an appropriate project brief.

On completion of the module, the student will be able to satisfy the following learning
outcomes:

_       Demonstrate ability to define a research question that can be answered with
        available resources in a timely manner.

_       Demonstrate the competent, accurate and appropriate use of advanced
        experimental or computer simulation techniques capable of yielding new data
        and knowledge in one of the subject areas of the Programme.

_       Demonstrate ability to acquire and interpret originally raw data – obtained by
        a variety of techniques –and thus gain a practical understanding of how
        original research is used to create knowledge and to communicate this to a
        specialist or non-specialist group, both orally and in writing.