University Polymer Syllabi for Chemistry-Major and

Chemistry-Related Programs in Malaysia

Chin Han CHAN, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia

Chee Cheong HO, Malaysian Institute of Chemistry (IKM) & University Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia

Participants: 26 representatives

Professiona bodies: IKM, LGM, SIRIM, PRIM,

Higher learning institutes: UiTM, UKM, UM, UniKL, Universiti Teknologi

PETRONAS, UPM, UPNM, USM, UTAR, UTM

Private companies: AkzoNobel Chemicals, Ansell, Kossan Rubber,

Malayan Adhesive & Chemical Sdn Bhd.

IKM Brain-Storming Session on university polymer syllabi  

Date:18 Feb 2012

Venue: IKM Secretariat, Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, KL

Jointly organized by IKM and UiTM

Chairperson: Prof. Dr. Chee Cheong HO

Rapporteur: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chin Han CHAN

Graduates/products

Service providers /universities

Consumers/industries

Knowledge Laboratory Other skill sets

Product feedback

QC, QA

specifications

Stakeholders in the system

Skill-set needed

Knowledgeable (content related) – general vs specific

Digital literacy

Multi-tasking ability

Communication skill

Inter-personal skill

Problem-solving skill

One of the biggest

employers in Malaysia

Diverse industry needs Paints and coatings Adhesives Sealants Industrial rubber products Dipped-goods: rubber gloves, balloons Medical devices Tyres and inner tubes Polymer resins Fabrication of plastics products

20% of the industries

Issues Contents: knowledge imparted ► general

vs specific practical skill in laboratory Communication skill: oral presentation,

negotiation Writing skill: reports, manuscripts Understanding power (language): reading Interpretation and deduction skills Ability to conduct independent work

What is lacking: employers view

1. Need extensive on-the-job training in order to perform.

2. The graduates require detailed explanation to understand specific subject matters and to carry out task.

3. Innovation and thinking skill appear to be lacking. They lack ability to carry out their task independently

4. Most need help in interpretation of results of analysis, and need specific direction and hand-holding in their job.

University training

Polymer as a degree programme

Polymer only part of a chemistry degree programme

Some polymer modules are embedded in Materials science, Materials engineering, Chemical engineering, Nanotechnology programmes

Polymer processing (non-chemistry, more technology)

Training requirement differs

Programme offered differs from University to university ►niche area

Course contents differ: core vs elective Duration differs (3 years vs 4 years) Credit hours required to pass differs With/without industrial internship With/without laboratory training modules With/without minor research project

Contents coverage Polymer synthesis Characterization Properties Applications Processing Environmental issues Disposal methods

Current situation of the syllabus of polymer science in some universitiesPolymer chemistry is not compulsory

Polymer processing is not part of compulsory polymer content

The content of latex technology is not sufficient.

Table 1 Polymer syllabus for Chemistry related courses in USM, UM, UKM, UPM, UiTM

Topic USM UM* UKM UPM UiTM(Pure Chem)

UiTM(Appl

Chem)

No. of polymer course 1 2 3 2 1 1

Basic Concepts Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Synthesis Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Characterization Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Processing No Yes Yes No No No

Lab as part of the course

No Yes No Yes Yes No

Lab in other courses Yes No Yes No No No

*elective

The proposal for the syllabus of polymer science for chemistry major and chemistry-related programs1)2 courses with 3 credit hours

2)Each course: 2 hrs lecture per week + 3 hrs lab session per week

3)Lab must be related to the theory

4)70 contact hrs per course (28 hrs lecture + 42 hrs lab)

Introduction

Definition, classification, naming (IUPAC & non IUPAC, trade name), MW

Synthesis

Addition (free radical, ionic, ring-opening)

Step-growth/condensation polymerization

Co-polymerization

Kinetics

MWD

Techniques (bulk, solution, emulsion, suspension, dispersion)

Characterization & Properties

Solution properties (MW, solubility)

MW determination (end group, viscometry, GPC, light scattering, colligative properties

Thermal analysis (TGA, DMA, DSC, TMA)

Spectroscopy analysis/molecular characterization (FTIR, NMR, UV-VIS, XRD etc)

Morphological (SEM, TEM, AFM)

Rheology ( Rubber elasticity, viscoelastic – dynamic properties)

Physical (density, moisture absorption, dimension stability)

Mechanical (tensile, flexural, compression, impact)

Applications

Plastics

Rubber

Composites, Nano-composites

Adhesives & coatings

Latex

Processing

Injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming, compression

Environment & Disposal

Green polymers (Natural & synthetic polymers)

Polymer recycling

Degradation (shelf life, biodegradation)

Safety & health hazard (MSDS)

Recommendations:1.should be designed to impart skill on handling simple analytical apparatus (e.g. hands-on for viscometer, dilatometer, osmometer etc.). 2.Statistical concept on data handing and analysis (reproducibility, repeatability, precision and accuracy) is emphasized. 3.The introduction of instrument should be as basic as possible to allow self assembling capability. 4.There should be at least ONE experiment that requires the undergraduates to partially design their own experiment, rather than provide detailed step by step procedure.

Laboratory training

Exp 1: Solubility and identification of polymers

Objective: Solubility of macromolecules in low-molecular (mostly organic) solvents in addition of some IR test for identification of polymers

Description:

1.The experiment will mediate experience in preparation of polymer solutions and qualitative evaluation of solubility and FTIR spectroscopy.

2.FTIR tables will be provided.

3.By comparing solubility of polymers in various solvents plus referring to FTIR analyses, the student could identify the polymers.

Exp 2: Separation and purification of polymer

Description: 1.PMMA is dissolved in chloroform containing added cinnamic acid as an”impurity”. 2.The PMMA could be precipitated out from the chloroform solution by the addition of methanol. 3.The precipitated PMMA could be isolated by filtration.4.Higher purification could be achieved through re-precipitation process. 5.The removal of cinnamic acid could be confirmed with UV spectroscopic analysis.

Objectives: To carry out separation and purification of polymer.To perform quantitative analysis of PMMA and cinnamic acid by UV analysis.

Exp 3: Preparation of polyester by condensation polymerization

Description:

1.To prepare polyester by condensation polymerization of ethylene glycol (a diol) and phthalic anhydride (a dicarboxylic acid).

2.The extend of reaction is monitored from the amount of water evolved from the condensation reaction.

3.The average degree of polymerization is estimated by applying the Carothers Equation.

Objectives:

1.Understanding the concept of synthesis polyester from the condensation polymerization

2.Determining initial amounts of –OH and –COOH in the starting materials, ratio = [-COOH]/[-OH] and an average of molecular weight of polyester.

3.Application of the Carothers Equation

Exp 4: Viscosity-average molecular weight

Description:

1.Measurements of the viscosity of dilute polymer solution using Ubberlohde viscometer.

Objectives:

1.To determine the intrinsic viscosity of polystyrene sample in toluene solution.

2.Determining the viscosity average molecular weight by applying the Mark-Houwink equation.

Exp 5: Determination of Mn by vapor pressure osmometer

Description:

1.The pure solvent and the polymer solution are separated by a semi-permeable membrane in vapor pressure (or membrane) osmometry.

2.The hydrostatic excess pressure is measured in dependence on the polymer concentration of the solution.

Objective:

To determine the Mn by vapor pressure osmometer polymer sample in toluene solution.

Exp 6: Determination of glass transition temperature by dilatometry technique

Description:

Tg of poly (isobutyl methacrylate) will be determined with dilatometry technique, i.e. by observing the change in height of the meniscus of the capillary tube / specific volume (which is related to the thermal expansion coefficient) of the polymer over a certain temperature range.

Objective:

Determination of glass transition temperature of poly (isobutyl methacrylate).

Exp 7: Determination of the crosslink parameters of a vulcanised natural rubber

Description: 1.stress strain method, the effect of hysteresis is shown by plotting the weight L (kg) vs extension λ for both addition and removal of load.2.swelling method consists of two steps

i. Determination of density of rubber ii. Determination of the swelling of the rubber sample.

Objectives: 1.Understand the behaviour of the vulcanized natural rubber. 2.To correlate the degree of vulcanisation from Mc the molecular weight between crosslink, by applying the Mooney-Rivlin equation at low extension ( < 1.5).3.Understand the concept of swelling of vulcanized rubber in toluene, where higher amount of crosslinking would reduce the solvent swelling. 4.The Mc can be estimated from the volume fraction of the rubber in the solvent swollen sample.

Each student is assigned one mini project

To be completed within 7 weeks.

Each project consists of the following elements.

1.Sample preparation(s) or sample treatment(s).

2.Sample characterization by spectoscopic and/or thermal analysis.

3.Data interpretation.

No. Name Organization1 Dr Eng Aik Hwee Ansell / IKM2 Dr C C Ho – Chairman IKM3 Dr Koh Mok Poh IKM4 Mr Vivayganathan Kathireson IKM5 Dr Loo Koi Sang IKM6 Dato’ Dr Ong Eng Long Kossan Rubber / IKM7 En Azuan bin Zakaria LGM Akademi Hevea Malaysia8 Dr Nor Yuziah Mohd Yunus Malayan Adhesive & Chemical / IKM9 Mr P K Chan PRIM10 Dr Md Aris Ahmad LGM / PRIM11 Dr Chan Chin Han UiTM / IKM12 Dr Famiza Abd Latiff UiTM13 Assoc Prof Rusli Daik UKM14 Prof Dr Ibrahim Abdullah UKM / IKM15 Prof Dr Gan Seng Neon UM / IKM16 Dr Ong Siew Kooi UniKL, MICET17 En Fahmi Asyadi Md Yusof UniKL, MICET18 En Muzafar Zukifli UniKL,MICET19 Assoc Prof Dr Zakaria Man Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS20 Assoc Prof Dr Mansor Ahmad UPM21 Prof Dato’ Dr Wan Md Zin Wan Yunus UPNM / IKM22 Prof Dr Wan Ahmad Kamil Mahmood USM23 Dr Chee Swee Yong UTAR24 Assoc Prof Dr Mat Uzir Wahit UTM25 Dr Rahim Sudin FRIM26 Prof Dr Azanam Shah Hashim MICET.UNIKL

Thank you