Polymer physics deals with the physical properties of Polymers. A polymer is a molecule composed of a small molecular unit repeating in a chain; usually $>100$ units

Polymer statics

–Isolated polymer molecule in solution

The ideal chain

Model polymer chain like random walk.

Can include effect of short-range interactions

A variant is the Gaussian chain

Distribution of segments in the polymer chain

Non-ideal chains

–Concentrated solutions and melts

Thermodynamic properties

Flory-Huggins theory

Chemical potential and osmotic pressure

Phase separation

–Polymer gels

Polymer dynamics

Molecular motion of polymers in dilute solution

Rouse theory

Zimm theory

Molecular motion in entangled polymer systems

Rheology of polymers

Books and resources

http://cbp.tnw.utwente.nl/PolymeerDictaat/

Introduction to Polymer Physics - M. Doi

The Theory of Polymer Dynamics - M. Doi & S.F. Edwards

People

S.F. Edwards

P.G. de Gennes

Doi

Viscoelastic fluids

Reptation

cross-linking rubbers