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Macromolecular Division (IV)

Report of Activities
August 1997 to July 1998

Most Division activities occur through its three Commissions. The main activity of the Division as such was through the World Polymer Congress (Macro '98) held July 11-15 at the Gold Coast, Australia, which attracted 1,000 registrations from 41 countries.

Division Report, prepared by W. J. Work, Secretary

Commission IV.1. Macromolecular Nomenclature
Report prepared by R.F.T. Stepto, Chair

Published Projects
Current Projects
Feasibility Studies
Other Activities

Commission IV.2. Polymer Characterisation and Properties
Report prepared by D. R. Moore, Chair

Working Party IV.2.1
"Structure and Properties of Commercial Plastics"

Working Party IV.2.2
"Molecular Characterisation of Commercial Plastics"

Working Party IV.2.8
"Modeling of Polymerisation Kinetics and Processes"

Commission IV.3. Functional Polymers
Report prepared by J. Klein, Chair

Purpose
Projects


Macromolecular Division Report

This report covers the period from the Division Meeting at the IUPAC General Assembly in Geneva, August 1997, through the Division Meeting at the Gold Coast, Australia, July 1998. Over that interval the Division has begun to develop an implementation plan for carrying out the recommendations of the SDIC, has established a site on the World Wide Web, and has continued its work to improve the quality of polymer education around the world. Also, the three Commissions within the Division have collectively prepared thirteen reports that have been submitted for publication or published over the last year. This report will summarize each of these activities.

The development of a plan for Division restructuring has been a focus of Division activity over the last year. Several draft versions of the plan have been prepared and circulated by E-mail to Division members and outside consultants for their comments. Key parts of the proposal include a restructuring of the membership to be project-based rather than Commission-based, a project approval system that requires input from sources outside of IUPAC, modified procedures for identifying new members of the Division that will also require input from outside sources, and expansion of the use of electronic media for the preparation and sharing of documents. The implementation of these ideas is under active discussion within the Division and with IUPAC officers.

As of June, 1998, the Macromolecular Division has a site on the World Wide Web (http://www.chem.usyd.edu.au/~gilbert/iupac/). The current version of the site contains information about the Division, its membership, the activities of the Commissions, and links to Commission web sites. In the future, the minutes of Division meetings and a listing of Division-approved international scientific meetings will also be available at the site. Besides providing information about the Division, it is also expected that this site will serve as a source of input for the world-wide scientific community to communicate with the Division. To encourage input, the Division is considering the adding a form to the web-site that contains blank areas to be filled in by a submitter. The initial response to the site appears to be favorable with over one thousand "hits" during the first two weeks of availability.

The Division's commitment to making high quality education in polymer science be more readily available continues. Prof. Jin continues efforts started by a past member of the Division, Prof. Russo, to develop international standards and recommendations for polymer science education. Implementation of these recommendations has started in Russia, led by Prof. Khokhlov, where standard curricula and recommendations for minimum topics for lecture courses are being developed and meetings for the exchange of experience in polymer education are being organized. In South Africa, Prof. Sanderson leads efforts to use electronic media, including the world-wide web and CD ROM, to provide more cost-effective information to undergraduate teaching institutions about polymer science. These activities are expected to continue in the Division and to involve the Commission on the Teaching of Chemistry.

The Nomenclature and Characterization Commissions have been very active during the last year. They have been responsible for eleven publications in Pure and Applied Chemistry, two recommendations for nomenclature and terminology and nine characterization reports. Commission IV.3, on Functional Polymers, has prepared a report on polymer recycling. Besides projects that have been completed with their publication, the Division has thirty-four other active projects in nomenclature, terminology, and characterization and has a number of other projects proposals under consideration. More than two hundred and thirty scientists from more than twenty countries participate in working parties in the Commissions.


Division Report prepared by W. J. Work
Secretary, Macromolecular Division
August 1998


Commission IV.1. Macromolecular Nomenclature

In the period covered by this report, the Commission has published 2 projects and worked on 13 other projects.

Published Projects

1. (9/83) Source-Based Nomenclature for Non-Linear Macromolecules and Macromolecular Assemblies,
Pure Appl. Chem. 1997 69 (12) 2511-2521

2. (23/93) Terms Relating to the Non-Ultimate Mechanical Properties of Polymers
Pure Appl. Chem. 1998 70, in press


Current Projects

1. Liquid Crystals (18/87)

This project is in the last stages of preparation for IDCNS and public review after its review by experts. The International Liquid Crystal Society (ILCS) has provided invaluable detailed suggestions. The document is being prepared for IDCNS and public review by M. Báron, R. F. T. Stepto and G. Luckhurst of the ILCS.

2. Revision of Nomenclature of Regular, Single-Strand Polymers (19/89)

The project was discussed at Geneva and is being prepared for public review by J. Kahovec.

3. Source-Based Generic Nomenclature for Polymers (21/93)

The project was discussed in detail in Geneva and a new version has been prepared by E. Marechal and circulated to the Commission.

4. Guide to Polymer Terminology and Nomenclature (22/93)

The project was discussed in detail in Geneva. Drafts of several chapters have now been completed and are under discussion. The structures of the chapters and of the guide overall are now taking shape.

5. Terminology Related to Multi-Phase Polymeric Composites and Blends (24/93).

The project was discussed in Geneva. A revised version was prepared by W. J. Work and K. Horie.

6. Asymmetric Polymerizations (25/95).

The project was discussed in detail at the General Assembly in Geneva and later a new draft was prepared by K. Hatada and J. Kahovec for Sydney.

7. Kinetics and Thermodynamics of Polymerization (26/95).

The project was discussed by the Commission at the General Assembly in Geneva. A new draft was prepared by S. Penczek to be discussed in Sydney.

8. Terminology in Ceramics and Inorganic/Organic Polymeric Substances (27/95).

R.G. Jones has replaced A.B. Brennan as the IV.1 Pool Titular Member directing the project. He has produced, with D. Holland (II.2) and I. Meisel, a draft for the meeting in Sydney.

9. Dendrimer and Hyperbranched Polymers (28/97).

This project was previously Feasibility Study F-11. It was launched as a new project in Geneva. A draft was prepared by J. Kahovec for discussion in Sydney.

10. Nomenclature for Macromolecules of Cyclic Structure (29/97).

This project was Feasibility Study F-12. It was launched as a new project in Geneva. A draft was prepared by F. Maréchal for discussion in Sydney.

11. Glossary of Polymer Class Names (30/97).

This project was previously Feasibility Study F-14. It was launched as a new project in Geneva. A draft was prepared by W.V. Metanomski for discussion in Sydney.

12. Polymerisation Processes and Polymers in Dispersed Systems (31/97).

This project was initiated by S. Slomkowski with much international support. It was launched immediately as a project in Geneva. A draft was prepared by S. Slomkowski, S. Penczek and K. Horie for discussion in Sydney.

13. Terminology of the Chromatography of Polymers and Related Materials (Separations) (32/97).

This project was launched in Geneva and is being coordinated by D. Berek of Commission IV.2. It is a collaborative project with Commission IV.1. M. Hess is coordinating the activities of IV.l on the project.

Feasibility Studies

F-13: Polymer Gel Terminology. Letter of outside support have been obtained by M. Hess since Geneva and a draft was prepared by him for discussion in Sydney.

F-15: Functionalization of Polymers. Letters of support and a list of terms are being prepared by K. Horie for discussion in Sydney.

F-16: Terminology of Ion-Containing Polymers. Letters of support and a list of terms were prepared by P. Kubisa for discussion in Sydney.

F-17: Terminology of Dielectric Properties of Polymers. A list of terms was prepared by M. Baron for discussion in Sydney. Industrial experts are being sought by E. S. Wilks.

Summary of Projects and Feasibility Studies

15 Projects, comprising:

1 project published
1 project in press
2 projects being prepared for IDCNS and public review
9 projects under discussion by the Commission
1 pool-project under discussion by the Commission
1 project in collaboration with Commission IV.2

5 feasibility studies

Other Activities

1. On-going revision of the Gold Book and IUPAC Database

2. Regular publication of the list of the Commission's publications and translations thereof in polymer journals

3. Establishment and maintenance of a World-Wide Web Page

4. Collaboration with the IUPAC Working Party on Student Nomenclature

5. Revision of the Purple Book

Commission Report prepared by R.F.T. Stepto, Chair



Commission IV.2. Polymer Characterisation and Properties

The Commission performs projects on the characterisation and properties of polymers, through its working parties, that are of concern to the international polymer community, and which require input from this community. The structure of the Commission is based on a Commission Committee with its National representatives and Associate members, together with three Working Parties. The Commission has about 180 active scientists from Academe and Industry representing over 20 countries. The output and activities of the Commission over the last two years have been the publication of 10 papers (9 in Pure and Applied Chemistry) and involvement in 21 active projects.

Working Party IV.2.1
"Structure and Properties of Commercial Plastics"
(Dr. H. M. Laun)

Membership of this working party stands at about 80 with representation from 19 countries. Half the membership is from Academe and half from Industry. They hold two meeting per year; one is a combined administrative and research meeting the other a research meeting. The last two meetings (numbers 55 and 55a) were held in Bodrum, Turkey in September 1997 ant Himeji, Japan in October 1997.

The ongoing projects cover a diverse range of topics allowing a wide range of scientific activity within the working party e.g.:

(i) Rubber toughening of plastics
(ii) Influence of reprocessing on structure-property characteristics of PVC
(iii) Rheological and mechanical properties of PMSAN/PMMA blends in miscible and phase separated regimes of various morphologies
(iv) Property improvement via interfacial chemical reaction-reactive extrusion of EVOH/SMA and polyamide/MA-grafted polypropylene
(v) Structure and properties of hydrogenated NBR
(vi) Effects of side chain branching on the processability of commercial polycarbonates for blow moulding.
Studies on the biodegradable fibres made of poly(-caprolactone)
(viii) Future requirements in the characterisation of continuous fibre composites.

In addition, there are many feasibility studies under way including topics such as:

Toughness characterisation of polymers using fracture mechanics concepts.
Structure and properties of polymeric foams.
Understanding scratch resistance in commercial polymers.

The work party plans to hold it next meeting in Hamburg, Germany in October 1998.

Working Party IV.2.2
"Molecular Characterisation of Commercial Plastics"
(Dr. D. Berek)

Activities were restarted in 1996. Six projects were proposed and accepted at the General Assembly in Geneva in August 1997. The Working Party has 38 members with participation from 14 different countries. The projects which have now started are:

(i) Nomenclature of chromatography of polymers and related substances in collaboration with Macromolecular Nomenclature (IV.1) and the Commission on separation methods in Analytical Chemistry (V.3)

(ii) Molecular characterization of polyamides 6,11, and 12 by SEC/GPC.

(iii) Characterisation of polyelectrolytes in aqueous solution by GPC, light scattering, viscometry, ultracentrifuge and similar methods.

(iv) Size exclusion chromatography and GPC methods applied to obtaining molar mass averages on polystyrene.

(v) Precise determination of molecular weight distributions of polyolefins by high temperature size exclusion chromatography and hyphenated techniques, which will be reviewed in a meeting in Italy in 1998.

(vi) Equipment experiences and exchanges through a project on size exclusion chromatography dispersion correction.


Working Party IV.2.8
"Modeling of Polymerisation Kinetics and Processes"
(Prof. M. Buback)

This working party has 38 members and one project on the critical evaluated database of kinetic parameters for free radical polymerization. Recent activities have focused on pulsed laser polymerisation and to use these methods to "benchmark" other methods.

Report published: "Critically -evaluated propagation rate coefficients in free radical polymerizations - II. Alkyl Methacrylates" by S. Beuermann and M. Buback is Pure Appl. Chem. 70, 1415-1418 (1998).

The commission held a symposium in July, in Sydney 1998 with four aims.

(i) Review of all Commission projects (by the project coordinators or working party Chairs).
(ii) Workshop on what our future scientific themes should be.
(iii) Commission structure and its future shape and form.
(iv) Critical review of work.

Commission Report prepared by D. R. Moore, Chair



Commission IV.3. Functional Polymers

Purpose:

Stimulation, selection and organisation of projects in the area of Functional Polymers. The goal of such projects could be defined as follows:

1. Critical review of the history and present status of a research area, highlighting the contribution of polymer science.

2. Development of position papers to improve the public visibility of a research area and to define the major topics of future research and development in contributing as chemists to the needs of our society.

3. Definition and formulation of important subjects to be dealt with in Commission IV .1 or Commission IV.2. or in cooperation with other IUPAC divisions.


Projects:

Working party on "Recycling of Polymers"
(Chairman: Dr. Norbert Bikales)

The working party presented its final report at the IUPAC MMD meeting in Geneva, August 1997. The recommendations were unanimously approved, so that this working party has accomplished its assigned task. Publication is under way as part of the Proceedings of the Prague Microsymposium on Polymer Recycling 1997.

Working party on "Degradable Polymers"
(Chair: Prof. Anne-Christine Albertsson)

The most recent activity and meeting took place in the context of the 5th International Scientific Workshop on "Biodegradable Plastics and Polymers", June 9-13, 1998 in Stockholm.

Working party on "Polymers for Microelectronic Devices"
(Chair: Dr. Elsa Reichmanis)

Following to a suggestion from the Geneva meeting 1997 of Commission IV.3. an initiative to establish a working party in this material science related area was started. Dr. Elsa Reichmanis from Lucent Technologies Inc. will be chair.

Working Party on "Biomedical Polymers"
(Acting Chair: Prof. Joachim Klein)

Seven colleagues from various countries have agreed to participate in this activity. A date and place for the first meeting has still to be identified, preferably in connection with a special symposium devoted to this area.


Commission Report prepared by J. Klein, Chair


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