Teaching Polymer Theory through the Living Polymerization and Characterization of Poly(methyl methacrylate) and Poly(butyl methacrylate) Homo- and Copolymers

This work describes a semester-long learning module designed to equip students with the analytical and practical skills necessary to be successful in an interdisciplinary polymer research environment. This learning module combines laboratory experiments involving both synthesis and materials characterization with lectures in polymer theory, and encourages chemists and engineers to learn alongside one another. Specifically, students learn air-free Schlenk technique to facilitate the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of a series of homo- and copolymers made from n-butyl methacrylate (BMA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomers. Students analyze these polymers using techniques that traverse the interdisciplinary spectrum—including Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), Proton-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA)—and learn about the theory and mathematics behind the measurements. Ultimately, this hands-on experience in polymer material design bridges the structure–property relationships taught by classical and applied polymer theory.