Polymer chemistry or macromolecular chemistry is concerned with the chemical synthesis and chemical properties of polymers. Polymer chemistry is a multidisciplinary science that deals with the chemical synthesis and chemical properties of polymers which were considered as macromolecules. Polymer Chemistry 2017 is comprised of the following sessions with 14 tracks and 56 sub sessions designed to offer comprehensive sessions that address current issues of Polymer Chemistry 2017.

Track 1: Polymer Synthesis and Polymerization

The study of Polymer Sciences begins with understanding the methods in which these materials are synthesized. Polymer synthesis is a complex procedure and can take place in a variety of ways. Addition polymerization describes the method where monomers are added one by one to an active site on the growing chain. Polymers are huge macromolecules composed of repeating structural units. While polymer in popular usage suggests plastic, the term actually refers to a large class of natural and synthetic materials. Due to the extraordinary range of properties accessible, Polymer Sciences have come to play an essential and ubiquitous role in everyday life - from plastics and elastomers on the one hand to natural biopolymers such as DNA and proteins on the other hand. The study of polymer sciences begins with understanding the methods in which these materials are synthesized. Polymer synthesis is a complex procedure and can take place in a variety of ways.

Track 2: Recent Advances in Polymer Chemistry

Polymer Chemistry is the branch of chemistry that deals with large molecules made up of repeating units referred to as monomers. The scope of Polymer Chemistry extends from oligomers with only a few repeating units to high polymers with thousands or millions of repeating units. Polymer Chemistry includes branches that mimic the divisions of the field of chemistry as a whole, with synthetic (preparation methods) and physical (property determination), biological (proteins, polysaccharides, and polynucleic acids), and analytical (qualitative and quantitative analysis) chemistry. Pre-existing polymers can also be modified by chemical means - including grafting or functionalization reactions. Polymerization and modification reactions can be employed to produce designer polymers as new materials with practically any desired properties

Polymer drug conjugates play an important role in the delivery of drugs. In the polymeric drug conjugates, the bioactive agent is combined covalently with polymer to achieve the efficient Polymeric Nanoparticle Delivery of bioactive agents in the required or specific period of time along with the enhancement of permeability and retention time. A large number of biodegradable polymers have been widely used in the area of Polymeric Nanoparticle Delivery.

A plenty of work has been explored for Polymer Chemistry and its biomedical applications such as tissue engineering, Polymeric Nanoparticle Delivery, polyphosphazene- anticancer drug conjugates with doxorubicin, paclitaxel, platinum complexes, methotrexate and gemcitabine for the Targeted drug delivery system etc.

Polymer-based Nano Materials, in particular, have been used extensively as carriers for both therapeutic and bio imaging agents and thus hold great promise for the construction of multifunctional theranostic formulations. Herein, we review recent advances in polymer-based systems for nanotheranostics, with a particular focus on their applications in cancer research. We summarize the use of Polymeric Nanoparticle Delivery, gene delivery, and photodynamic therapy, combined with imaging agents for magnetic resonance imaging, radionuclide imaging, and fluorescence imaging.

Track 3: Polymer Nanotechnology

Polymeric nanoparticles are predominantly prepared by wet synthetic routes. Several industrial processes will be described. Emphasis will be placed on the type of polymers and morphology structures that can be synthesized using each process. Controlled radical polymerization will be explored for their ability to provide structural control of polymer chains.

The extraordinarily large surface area on the nanoparticles presents diverse opportunities to place functional groups on the surface. Particles can be created that can expand/contract with changes in pH, or interact with anti-bodies in special ways to provide rapid ex-vivo medical diagnostic tests. Important extensions have been made in combining inorganic materials with polymers and in combining different classes of polymers together in nanoparticle form.

Advanced analytical techniques allow us to measure structure at ever-decreasing length scales. Computer simulations of the events occurring during particle formation have also benefited us in developing control strategies to produce structured particles.

Track 4: Synthetic Polymers

The established methods of polymer synthesis radical, anionic, cationic, coordination addition, Polymerization and stepwise condensation with rearrangement Polymerization. These methods are used to synthesize the majority of polymers used in the manufacture of commercially important plastics, fibres, resins and rubbers. Recent developments in methods of polymer synthesis are needed. Whether one takes a look at the commodity or specialty polymers area or considers areas of growing needs, such as polymers for the automotive, aerospace, electronics, communications, separations, packaging, biomedical, etc., advances in polymer synthesis are needed. Polymeric Nano Particle delivery materials as they are constantly being modified and improved, fine-tuned for current and additional needs, and more readily adopted by industry and the public, will have a vastly expanding influence on everyday life. However, lack of long-term support of meaningful size for basic research on all facets of Polymer Chemistry and engineering, with particular emphasis on making needed advances in polymer synthesis, could well stunt the growth of high technology in our country. Expanding this thought, lack of attention to basic research on polymer synthesis could help foster or insure that we won't have materials with performance profiles to meet requirements of emerging technologies and national needs, in a reasonably economic and timely fashion.

Track 5: Macromolecular Polymer Structure

Noncovalent interactions provide a flexible means of engineering new chemical entities with tailored properties. Specific interactions between functionalized small molecules and polymer chains bearing complementary binding sites can be used to engineer supramolecular complexes that display mesomorph polymer structure. This has been exploited to develop a range of functional materials including photonic band gap polymers, ionic conductors and donor-acceptor semiconductors polymers. Additionally, the deliberate association of polymers with surfactants in engineered, synthetic materials is increasingly motivated by the possibility of combining the stimuli-responsive self-assembly and solubilizing properties of surfactants with the intrinsic solution properties of polymers, such as rheology medication and facile coating of interfaces. In solution, the hydrophobic Nature of the surfactant compared to a hydrophilic polymer backbone leads to coil-globule transitions on decreasing solvent quality, surfactants cluster and force small length scale intrachain associations, causing a sharp reduction in the end-end chain distance, i.e collapse. These transitions qualitatively mimic the behaviour of proteins in which there is an aggregation of hydrophobic side chains that occurs as a precursor to collapse and eventual folding. At higher concentrations, interchange associations drive supramolecular ordering, leading to larger characteristic length scales and in some cases to the formation of gels or networks. Overall, there is a compelling need to understand the physical chemistry, structure and dynamics of supramolecular polymers, both in solution and in the melt. Our work focuses on detailed examination of composition and temperature dependent molecular and supramolecular structures in solutions and melts. We quantitatively characterize the thermodynamics and kinetics of polymer-small molecule binding, elucidating the dependence on surfactant chemistry and environmental variables. We strive to formulate coherent frameworks describing structure-property relationships in the systems considered.

Track 6: Functional Polymers

Functional polymers are macromolecules to which chemically bound functional groups are attached which can be utilised as reagents, catalysts, protecting groups, etc. The polymer support can be either a linear species which is soluble or a cross-linked species which is insoluble. For a polymer to be used as a support, it should have significant mechanical stability under the reaction conditions. Such properties of the support have greater importance for the functionalization reaction and for the applications of the functional polymers.

The polymer properties can be modified either by chemical reactions on pendant groups or by changing the physical Nature of the polymers, such as their physical form, porosity and solvation behaviour. Such properties have a great importance for the functionalization reactions for the eventual applications of the reactive polymers.

A functional   polymer   possesses the combination of the physical properties of the polymer support and the chemical reactivities of the attached functional group. The polymer support may be organic or inorganic and functional group attachment can be done either by physical interaction or through chemical bonds. The use of a functional polymer depends on the physical properties and the chemical constitution of the polymers. A functionalised polymer requires a structure which permits adequate diffusion of substrates to the reactive sites.

Track 7: Polymers for Catalysis and Energy Applications

 Catalysis  by  polymers  is  the  new  intensively  developing  field  of  science. Polymer catalysis has become an independent and thriving branch of Polymer Chemistry. Extensive development of this field is attributed to success achieved in synthesis and investigation of so-called functional polymers as well as to success attained in homogeneous, metal complex catalysis. The fruitful cooperation  of  these  two  directions,  namely the  fixation  of  homogeneous  catalysts  or  transition metal compounds on organic polymers, has led to the novel idea of heterogenization of homogeneous metal complex catalysts. Such catalysts obtained by the heterogenization of various polymeric supports by homogeneous complexes of transition metals, retain the advantages of both homogeneous (high selectivity) and heterogeneous (convenient manufacture) catalysts. Two aspects of catalysis involving polymers should be discussed:  (1) the catalytic effect of functional groups of polymers and (2) the use of polymers as supports for homogeneous metal complexes. Such an approach is useful because it enables one to establish a relationship between enzyme-like, homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. Polymeric catalys is may be arbitrary divided on several parts:

1. Catalysis by linear polymers in solutions

2. Ion-Exchange resins as catalysts.

3. Catalysis by polymer-metal complexes.

4. Polymer-protected Nano sized catalysts.

Track 8: Bio catalysis in Polymer Chemistry

Bio catalytic pathways to Polymeric Materials are an emerging research area with not only enormous scientific and technological promise, but also a tremendous impact on environmental issues. Whole cell biocatalysts have been exploited for thousands of years. Historically biotechnology was manifested in skills such as the manufacture of wines, beer, cheese etc., where the techniques were well worked out and reproducible, while thebiochemical mechanism was not understood. While the chemical, economic and social advantages of bio catalysis over traditional chemical approaches were recognized a long time ago, their application to industrial production processes have been largely neglected until recent break-through in modern biotechnology (such as robust protein expression systems, directed evolution etc). Subsequently, in recent years, biotechnology has established itself as an indispensable tool in the synthesis of small molecules in the pharmaceutical sector including antibiotics, recombinant proteins and vaccines and monoclonal antibodies.

Track 9: Bio-related Medical Polymers

Advanced polymeric Biomaterials continue to serve as a cornerstone of new medical technologies and therapies. The vast majority of these materials, both natural and synthetic, interact with biological matter without direct electronic communication. However, biological systems have evolved to synthesize and employ naturally-derived materials for the generation and modulation of electrical potentials, voltage gradients, and ion flows. Bioelectric phenomena can be interpreted as potent signalling cues for intra- and inter-cellular communication. These cues can serve as a gateway to link synthetic devices with biological systems. This progress report will provide an update on advances in the application of electronically active Biomaterials for use in organic electronics and bio-interfaces. Specific focus will be granted to the use of natural and synthetic biological materials as integral components in technologies such as thin film electronics, in vitro cell culture models, and implantable medical devices. Future perspectives and emerging challenges will also be highlighted.

First, Nature must be able to design and synthesize biologically-derived materials and assemble those species into useful structures that can harvest, sense, transduce, and manipulate electrical signals. Second, synthetic electronic devices may be designed to precisely measure physical aspects of bioelectric processes such as ion flows and voltage gradients in biological systems; quantifying these phenomena provides insight into the underlying physiological mechanisms. Third, pathologies in biological function and deviations from homeostasis can be mitigated by supplying exogenous electrical cues. These assertions provide a framework that motivates the design of numerous technologies ranging from hybrid inorganic-organic electronic devices to electronically active medical implants. Materials selection and the subsequent quality of the biotic-abiotic interface play central roles in the prospective success and impact of many of these emerging technologies. This progress report will highlight recent progress in biomaterials-based electronics with an emphasis on the following topics:

• Unique optoelectronic properties of biologically-derived materials
• Novel soft matter for interfacing synthetic devices with cells in vitro.
• Electronically active Biomaterials for implantable medical devices.

Track 10: Polymers in Biochemistry

Proteins are linear polymers built of monomer units called amino acids. The construction of a vast array of macromolecules or polymer structure from a limited number of monomer building blocks is a recurring theme in biochemistry. The function of a protein is directly dependent on its three dimensional structure remarkably, proteins spontaneously fold up into three-dimensional structures that are determined by the sequence of amino acids in the protein polymer. Thus, proteins are the embodiment of the transition from the one-dimensional world of sequences to the three-dimensional world of molecules capable of diverse activities.

Proteins contain a wide range of functional groups. These functional groups include alcohols, thiols, thioethers, carboxylic acids, carboxamides, and a variety of basic groups. When combined in various sequences, this array of functional groups accounts for the broad spectrum of protein function. For instance, the chemical reactivity associated with these groups is essential to the function of enzymes, the proteins that catalyse specific chemical reactions in biological systems

Track 11: Polymers for Separation

Polymers become more miscible as the temperature is lowered, Liquid-liquid phase separation is assumed. If one of the components crystallizes, quite different phases emerge. Occasionally, upper critical solution temperatures (UCM) are observed for blends at some lower temperature range. Typical data may be obtained by raising the temperature rapidly from some temperature in the totally miscible range to some higher temperature, and observing changes via optical clarity and microscopy. Particular molecular weights for the two polymers in question. Different molecular weights result in different positions of the phase, and different maximum temperatures of mutual miscibility. Here, the temperature and the composition of a particular polymer pair is varied.

The Order-Disorder Transition

The case for block copolymers is significantly different. The molecular weights of the blocks and the overall composition of the block copolymer cannot be varied independently. Therefore, a classical phase diagram, cannot exist, the result has been a plethora of new notation.

Some of the terms used for the temperature of phase separation in block copolymers include the order-disorder (ODT) or the micro phase separation transition (MST). c Z represents the heat of mixing per chain. Other notation in common use is the narrow interphase approximation (NIA) which means that one is in the strong segregation regime, i.e., far from the MST. Closer to the MST, one speaks of the weak segregation regime. At the MST, other people talk about an upper critical ordering temperature (UCOT) and a lower critical ordering temperature (LCOT). While most polymer blends exhibit a LCST, most block polymers exhibit an UCOT. An UCOT implies a nucleation and growth mechanism for the kinetics of phase separation. Whether one speaks of a LCST and an UCST or a LCOT and an UCOT, it must be noted that the UCST and UCOT appear at lower temperatures than the corresponding LCST and LCOT, respectively

Track 12: Polymer Technology

The early developments in Polymer Technology occurred without any real knowledge of the molecular theory of polymers. The idea that the Structure of Molecules in Nature might give an understanding of plastics was put forward by Emil Fischer, who in 1901 discovered that natural polymers were built up of linked chains of molecules. It was not until 1922 that the chemist Herman Staudinger proposed that not only were these chains far longer than first thought, but they were composed of giant molecules containing more than a thousand atoms. He christened them ‘macromolecules’, but his theory was not proved until 1935 when the first plastic was created with a predictable form. This was the first synthetic fibre, nylon.

Polymer, meaning literally many parts, is a large organic chemical molecule (macromolecule), consisting of a combination of many small chemical molecules known as monomers. For example, polyethylene (PE), – CH2 – CH2 – CH2 – - - - -– CH2 – CH2 –, consists of many ethylene, CH2= CH2, monomers. The process of combining monomers together to yield a macromolecule is known as polymerisation. The polymerization process for the manufacture of phenol formaldehyde is an exothermic one and is controlled by a batch reactor as the viscosity of the material changes rapidly. The raw materials for the process phenol, formaldehyde and the catalyst are mixed in a jacketed autoclave , which is also termed as a resin kettle. Inside the autoclave, the mixture is heated with steam. Water cooling and refluxing remove the excess heat of reaction. During the initial stages of the reaction , the heavy viscous resins settle as the bottom layer, with an aqueous layer on top. A combination of heat and vacuum in the resin kettle (autoclave) enables the dehydration of the reaction mixture.

Track 13: Biochemical Degradation of Polymers

The Organic Evolution high polymers ranging from natural cellulose to vinyls, acrylates, polyamides and polyesters, contain essential elements for nutrition of plants and animals. The enzyme systems present in the organisms can attack these organic materials by virtue of specificity or adaptation, depending upon the chemical constitution and Polymer Structure. It was previously noted that certain of these polymers were liable to microbial attack, and this posed a problem in their general use as electrical insulation and protective coatings. The evaluation of the relative resistance of polymers to fungi and bacteria has been a subject of investigation for a long time but the chemical and mechanistic approach has hardly been undertaken.

The chemically reactive groupings present in the high polymers are inaccessible to microbial attack due to high intermolecular forces; consequently, gross degradation was not observable and almost all high polymers were found to have fair to excellent resistance to micro-organisms, with the exception of cellulose nitrate, polyvinyl acetate, casein, and some natural and synthetic rubbers. Furthermore, the synthetic plastics with required mechanical properties could be adapted to a particular use by the judicious incorporation of fungicides and bactericides. However, the plasticizers, which are used to modify the mechanical properties of these polymers, have been found to undergo biological degradation. A relationship has been found to exist between the chemical groups and the overall resistance to microbial attack of these monomeric plasticizers.

Track 14: Polymer Therapeutics: Concepts and Applications

Polymer therapeutics encompasses polymer–protein conjugates, drug–polymer conjugates, and supramolecular drug-delivery systems. Numerous polymer–protein conjugates with improved stability and pharmacokinetic properties have been developed, for example, by anchoring enzymes or biologically relevant proteins to polyethylene glycol components (PEGylation). Several polymer–protein conjugates have received market approval, for example the PEGylated form of adenosine deaminase. Coupling low-molecular-weight anticancer drugs to high-molecular-weight polymers through a cleavable linker is an effective method for improving the therapeutic index of clinically established agents, and the first candidates have been evaluated in clinical trials, including, N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide conjugates of doxorubicin, camptothecin, paclitaxel, and platinum (II) complexes. Another class of polymer therapeutics are drug-delivery systems based on well-defined multivalent and dendritic polymers. These include polyanionic polymers for the inhibition of virus attachment, polycationic complexes with DNA or RNA (polyplexes), and dendritic core–shell architectures for the encapsulation of drugs. In this Review an overview of polymer therapeutics is presented with a focus on concepts and examples that characterize the salient features of the drug-delivery systems.

Track 15: Characterization of Polymers

Polymer Characterization includes determining molecular weight distribution, the molecular structure, the morphology of the polymer, Thermal Properties, mechanical properties, and any additives. Molecular Characterization also includes the development and refinement of analytical methods with statistical models which help to understand phase separation and phase transistion of polymers. The results achieved hereof can be eventually applied to optimize the experimental conditions during analyses. We have multiple approaches for Polymer Characterization.  The following is a list of the most common techniques we use.

Molecular weight analysis is often determined by one of the following methods:

•     Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC)
•     Dilute Solution Viscosity Testing (IV)
•     Melt Flow Index Testing (MFI)

Molecular Structure determines if a polymer is a homopolymer or a copolymer, for example.  Methods we use for this analysis include:

•     Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
•     Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR)

We use the following Analytical Method to determine the morphology:

•     Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
•     Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)
•     Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)

The following testing techniques can be used to answer those questions:

•     Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
•     Rheology Testing
•     Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)
•     Dynamic Mechanical Testing (DMA)

We determine Physical Properties in the following ways:

•     Tensile Testing
•     Flexural Testing
•     Compression Testing
•     Durometer Testing
•     Specific Gravity & Density Determination

Track 16: Solid Waste Management of Polymers

The controlled combustion of polymers produces heat energy. The heat energy produced by the burning plastic municipal waste not only can be converted to electrical energy but also helps burn the wet trash that is present. Paper also produces heat when burned, but not as much as do plastics. On the other hand, glass, aluminium and other metals do not release any energy when burned. The disposal of polymer solid waste by means other than landfilling is necessary. The various approaches source reduction, incineration; degradation, composting, and recycling-all have their roles and must be employed in an integrated manner. Where appropriate, recycling hasecological advantages, but its application is dependent upon the feasibility of collection, sorting, and/orcompatibilization of resulting mixtures to produce economically viable products. The practice should be encouraged by societal or legislative pressure which recognizes that the cost of disposal should be a factor in determining the cost of a product.

Track 17: Marketing of Polymers