Institute for Technical and Makromolekular Chemistry Bundesstr. 45 20146 Hamburg

Director: Prof. Dr. H.-U. Moritz Vice Director: Prof. Dr. G. A. Luinstra E-Mail: gd-tmc@chemie.uni-hamburg.de Office Mrs. Cornelia Zhu Phone: 040 / 42838 - 3164, Fax: - 6008 E-Mail: cornelia.zhu([a])chemie.uni-hamburg.de

Key Areas of Research

The key areas of research of the Institute for Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry are the synthesis and characterization of polymers as well as the polymerization technology.

In our institute, polymer materials are produced by catalysis in corresponding glass and metal reactors on a gram to kilogram scale. Typical monomers are ethylene, propylene, propylene oxide, carbon oxides, isocyanates or aldehydes. Typical polymers are polyolefins, polyurethanes, polyesters, polycarbonates or polyethers. Our research is focused on the development of catalysts, the enhancement of knowledge on reaction paths, the development of polymerization reactions and the processing by injection moulding, film blowing or film extrusion. In addition to this, we also produce blends and composites. Furthermore, polymers (in particular water-soluble polymers), are functionalized or systematically degraded. Mechanical, thermal and rheological characterization of the materials enables us to establish a material profile.

The field of Polymer Physics benefits from the proximity of the "German Electron Synchrotron" (DESY) and its Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory (HASYLAB). We examine the nanostructures of multi-phase oriented polymer samples in real-time, e.g. upon melting, during fibre production or when stretching rubber and we are developing evaluation methods. Moreover, we have developed a real-time method for the examination of structure gradients in polymer materials.

The subject of Technical Chemistry is studied in two main directions: (1) Pyrolysis and recycling of plastic waste, old tyres, oil shales, etc.; (2) process engineering and optimization of polyreactions.

There are many points of contact between the field of Polymer Sciences at the Institute for Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry and the field of Material Sciences at the Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg (TUHH), with both of them mutually stimulating one another. Since the TUHH does not dispose of its own Faculty of Chemistry, the relevant teaching is undertaken by professors from the Institute for Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry and takes place at the Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg.

Detailed information about the current areas of research is presented by the individual working groups of our institute.