Chem 421: Introduction to Polymer Chemistry

Text and Reference Materials

Class textbook

Polymers: Chemistry & Physics of Modern Materials, 2nd edition, by J. M. G. Cowie; Blackie, 1991

Textbook errata

If you need help in finding literature information, contact the chemistry librarian.

Reference Books

Principles of Polymer Chemistry, P. J. Flory, Cornell Univ. Press, 1953.
An Introduction to Polymer Science, H. G. Elias, Wiley 1996.
Contemporary Polymer Chemistry, 2nd edition, H. R. Allcock and F. W. Lampe, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Introduction to Polymers, 2nd edition, by R. J. Young and P. A. Lovell, Chapman and Hall (1991).
Textbook of Polymer Science, 3rd ed., F. W. Billmeyer, Interscience, 1984.
Principles of Polymerization, 3rd ed., G. Odian, Wiley, 1991.
Macromolecules, v. 1-2, H. G. Elias, Plenum Press, 1977.
Mega Molecules, H. G. Elias, Springer-Verlag, 1987.
Polymer Chemistry, B. Vollmert, Springer-Verlag, 1973.
Introduction to Polymer Chemistry, J. K. Stille, Wiley, 1962.
Fundamental Principles of Polymeric Materials, 2nd ed., S. L. Rosen, Wiley, 1993.
Polymer Chemistry: An Introduction, 2nd ed., M. Stevens, Oxford Univ. Press, 1990.
Introduction to Polymer Science and Technology: An SPE Textbook, H. S. Kaufman and J. J. Falcetta, Wiley, 1977.
Introduction to Macromolecular Science, P. Munk, Wiley, 1989.
Polymer Chemistry: An Introduction, C. E. Carraher and R. B. Seymour, Marcel Dekker, 1987.
Polymer Chemistry - The Basic Concepts, P. C. Hiemenz, Marcel Dekker, 1984.
Principles of Polymer Chemistry, A. Ravve, Plenum, 1995.
Macromolecules: An Introduction to Polymer Science, F. A. Bovey and F. H. Winslow, Academic Press, 1979.
Encyclopedia of Polymer Science, Wiley, 1987.
Polymer Handbook, 3rd. ed., J. Brandrup and E. H. Immergut, eds., Wiley, 1989.
Comprehensive Polymer Science: The Synthesis, Characterization, Reactions, and Applications of Polymers, G. Allen and J. C. Bevington, eds., Pergamon Press, 1989.

More Specialized Texts

Organic Chemistry of Synthetic High Polymers, R. W. Lenz, Interscience, 1963.
Organic Polymer Chemistry, 2nd. ed., K. J. Saunders, Chapman and Hall, 1988.
Preparative Methods of Polymer Chemistry, 2nd ed., W. R. Sorenson and T. W. Campbell, Interscience, 1968.
Polymer Syntheses, S. R. Sandler and W. Karo, Academic Press, 1980.
Macromolecular Syntheses, 11 volumes, various editors and publishers.
Experimental Methods in Polymer Chemistry, J. F. Rabek, Wiley, 1980.
Polymer Synthesis, 2nd ed., P. Rempp and E. Merrill, Huthig and Wepf, 1991.
New Methods for Polymer Synthesis, W. J. Mijs, ed., Plenum, 1992.
New Methods of Polymer Synthesis, J. R. Ebdon, Blackie, 1991.
Polymer Photophysics and Photochemistry, J. Guillet, Cambridge Press, 1985.
Emulsion Polymerization Theory and Practice, D. C. Blackley, Appl. Science Publn. Ltd., 1975.
Polymer Latexes: Preparation, Characterization, and Applications, E. S. Daniels and M. S. El-Aasser, eds., ACS, 1992.
Block Copolymers - Overview and Critical Survey, A. Noshay and J. E. McGrath, Academic Press, 1977.
Ring Opening Polymerization: Kinetics, Mechanisms, and Synthesis, J. E. McGrath, ed., ACS Symposium Series No. 286, 1985.
Anionic Polymerization, Principles and Practices, H. Morton, Academic Press, 1983.
Carbocationic Polymerization, J. P. Kennedy and E. Maréchal, Krieger, 1982.
Designed Polymers by Carbocationic Macromolecular Engineering: Theory and Practice, J. P. Kennedy and B. Iván, Hanser-Gardner, 1991.
Polyimides, D. Wilson, H. D. Stenzenberger, Blackie, 1990.
High Performance Polymers and Composites, J. I. Kroschwitz, Wiley, 1991.
Reaction Polymers: Polyurethanes, Epoxies, Unsaturated Polyesters, Phenolics, Special Monomers, and Additives; Chemistry, Technology, Applications, Markets, W. F. Gum, W. Riese, and H. Ulrich, eds., Hanser-Gardner, 1992.
Inorganic Polymers, J. E. Mark, H. R. Allcock, and R. West, Prentice Hall, 1992.
Silicon-based Polymer Science: A Comprehensive Resource, J. M. Ziegler and F. W. G. Fearon, eds., ACS, 1990.
Specialty Polymers, R. W. Dyson, Blackie, 1987.
Desk Reference of Functinal Polymers: Syntheses and Applications R. Arshady, ed., ACS, 1997.
Physical Properties of Polymers, 2nd ed., J. E. Mark, et al., ACS, 1993.
Introduction to Polymer Physics, U. Eisele, Springer-Verlag, 1990.
Polymer Blends and Alloys, P. S. Hope and M. J. Fowlkes, Blackie, 1993.
Properties of Polymers, 3rd ed., D. W. Van Krevelen, Elsevier, 1990.
Polymer Characterization, B. J. Hunt and M. I. James, Blackie, 1993.
Analysis of Polymers: An Introduction, T. R. Crompton, Pergamon, 1989.

Many, many others...

Polymer Journals

Macromolecules
Journal of Polymer Science
- Polymer Chemistry Edition
- Polymer Physics Edition
- Polymer Letters
- Macromolecular Reviews
- Polymer Symposia
Journal of Macromolecular Science
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Reviews in Macromolecular Chemistry
Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics (formerly Die Makromolekulare Chemie)
Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics: Rapid Communications
Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics: Macromolecular Symposia
Polymer International (formerly European Polymer Journal)
International Polymer Journal
Colloid and Polymer Science
Polymer
Polymer Communications
Polymer Journal (Japan)
Polymer Science (USSR)
Polymer Bulletin
Journal of Applied Polymer Science
Chemtracts: Polymer Science
Trends in Polymer Science
Advances in Polymer Science (Fortschritte in Hochpolymeren Forschung)
Progress in Polymer Science
Polymers for Advanced Technologies
Polymer Preprints (ACS Division of Polymer Chemistry)
Polymeric Materials Science and Engineering (ACS Division of Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering)

Polymer Related Links

"Just one word:" Plastics.com Tons of polymer information and other polymer links.

ACS Division of Polymer Chemistry (POLY)

ACS Division of Polymeric Materials Science and Engineering (PMSE)

Materials Research Society

American Plastics Council

Another excellent tutorial from an introductory polymer course: Polymer and Coatings Science at UMR Includes summary information on the synthesis of many commerically important monomers and polymers.

A web tutorial on polymer basics and liquid crystals (both polymeric and non-polymeric) from Case Western and Kent State: Polymers and Liquid Crystals You can learn how your watch display works, for instance.

A "cyberwonderland of polymer fun" from the University of Southern Mississippi. The Macrogalleria Lots of excellent, basic information on a host of common polymers, complete with pictures and movies, easy to navigate, and a not-so-serious attitude.

Some commercial web sites:

GE Plastics

Eastman Specialty Plastics

Dow Chemical

DuPont

DuPont Heritage Lots of company history including many famous polymer scientists.

Shell Chemical

What do those recycling codes stand for?

The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. created a coding system for plastics. They began phasing it in July 1, 1988. The codes are as follows:

# Code	Material	Examples
1 PETE	Poly(ethylene terephthalate)	soda bottles, food trays, ketchup bottles, video tape, X-ray film
2 HDPE	High density polyethylene	milk and water jugs, toys
3 V	Poly(vinyl chloride)	pipes, raincoats, binder covers, credit cards, LP records (ask your parents what these were)
4 LDPE	Low density polyethylene	shrink wrap, lids for photographic film canisters
5 PP	Polypropylene	food container lids, fibers, labware containers
6 PS	Polystyrene	styrofoam cups, plastic utensils, CD storage boxes, toys, building insullation
7 OTHER	All other resins and Layered Multi-Material	polycarbonate car bumpers, safety glasses, CDs, Plexiglas sheets, toothpaste tubes, computer housings, telephones, etc. etc.

Currently, Monroe county is only recycling 1 PETE and 2 HDPE.

Back to Chem421 Home Page