CH4250

Tutorial 1

Semester 2, 2014-15

CH4250 POLYMERS FOR NANOTECHNOLOGY

TUTORIAL 1 (Week 3)

1. Calculate and show the change of the surface area when a cube with edges of 1 cm in
length is divided step by step into cubes with edges 1 nm in length.

Edge length of
cubes

Number of cubes

Volume of cubes

1 cm

1 cm3

1 mm

103

1 cm3

1 m

1012

1 cm3

1 nm

1021

1 cm3

Surface area of
cubes (m2)

2. Taking Ti-based catalyst as an example, illustrate the mechanism of Ziegler and Natta
polymerization of propylene.

3. Draw the mechanisms for the following processes in the radical polymerization of
styrene in toluene: (a) initiation by cumyl peroxide; (b) propagation; (c) termination by
disproportionation; and (d) transfer to solvent.

CH4250

Tutorial 1

Semester 2, 2014-15

4. Calculate the feed ratio of adipic acid and hexamethylene diamine necessary to achieve a
molecular weight of approximately 10,000 at 99.5% conversion. What would the identity
of the end groups be in the resulting polymer?

5. (1) Derive the General Carothers Equation shown below to show the relationship between
the number-average degree of polymerization (DPn) and the reactant ratio (r) and the
extent of the reaction (p) in a polycondensation shown below.

(2) Nylon 6-6 is synthesised by polycondensation of hexamethylenediamine and adipic

acid. Calculate the number-average degree of polymerization of an equimolar mixture of
adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine for extents of reaction 0.500, 0.800, 0.900, 0.950,
0.990, 0.995.

6. Explain the difference between conventional polymers and supramolecular polymers

regarding their synthesis, properties and applications.