Page 8 - Carrahers_Polymer_Chemistry,_Eighth_Edition

Preface

As with most science, and chemistry in particular, there is an explosive broadening and increase in
the importance of the application of foundational principles of polymers. This broadening is seen
in ever increasing vistas allowing the advancement of our increasingly technologically dependant
society and solutions to society’s most important problems in such areas as environment and medi-
cine. Some of this broadening is the result of extended understanding and application of already
known principles, but it also includes the development of basic principles and materials known to
us hardly a decade ago. Most of the advancements in communication and computers, medicine, and
air and water purity are tied to macromolecules and a fundamental understanding of the principles
that govern their behavior. Much of this revolution is of a fundamental nature and is explored in this
latest edition. This book deals with these basic principles and their application in real-life situations.
Technology is the application of scientific principles. In polymers there is often little, if any, division

between science and technology.
The importance of the environment and our interaction with it is becoming increasingly evi-
dent. Industries are increasingly emphasizing on green science and practices that are favorable to
the environment. Polymer science also emphasizes on these practices and contributes critical com-
ponents toward solutions. This text continues to emphasize these measures including special sec-
tions that deal directly with environmental issues as well as integrating green science appropriately
woven within the fabric that is polymer chemistry. Consistent with the continued emphasis on green
chemistry, new sections dealing with photochemistry and green materials have been added.
Polymers are found in the organic natural world as the building blocks for life itself. They are
also found as inorganic building blocks that allow construction of homes, skyscrapers, and roads.
Synthetic polymers serve as basic building blocks of society today and tomorrow. This text includes
all three of these critical segments of polymeric materials.
A basic understanding of polymers is essential to the training of today’s science, biomedical, and
engineering students. Carraher’s Polymer Chemistry complies with the American Chemical Society’s
Committee on Professional Training guidelines as an advanced or in-depth course. It naturally inte-
grates and interweaves the important foundational areas since polymers are critical to all of the foun-
dational areas with all of these foundational areas contributing to the growth of polymer science. Most
of the fundamental principles of polymers are an integral part of the syllabi of the undergraduate and
graduate training courses for students. This allows students to integrate their chemical knowledge and
establish a connection between fundamental and applied chemical information. Thus, along with the
theoretical information, application is integrated as an essential part of the information. As in other
areas such as business and medicine, short case studies are presented as historical material.
While this book is primarily written as an introductory graduate-level course, it can also be used
as an undergraduate course, or as the introductory undergraduate–graduate course. The topics are
written so that the order and inclusion or exclusion of chapters or parts of chapters will still allow
students an adequate understanding of the science of polymers. Most of the chapters begin with
the theory part followed by the application portion. The most important topics are generally at the
beginning of the chapter followed by important, but less critical, sections. Some would prefer to
take up the synthesis-intense chapters first, some would prefer to take up the analytical/analysis/

properties chapters first, and others may simply prefer to take up the chapters as they appear in the

text. The book contains all of the elements of an introductory text with synthesis, property, appli-
cation, and characterization all present, allowing this to be the only polymer course taken by an
individual or the first in a series of polymer-related courses taken by the student.

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