27977 - Polymer Science Fundamentals L

Learning outcomes

The students will achieve basic knowledge of polymer science and will acquire the skills for synthesis of polymeric products with different techiniques

Course contents

Introduction to macromolecular chemistry 
Homopolymers and copolymers, configuration and stereoregularity, macromolecules conformations, polymerization processes, molecular weight and molecular weight distribution, structure - properties correlations 
  
Step growth polymerization 
Step growth reactions, experimental parameters effects on step growth polymerization , examples of step growth polymerization 
  
Chain polymerization 
Radical polymerization, radical polymerization techniques, cationic polymerization, anionic polymerization, Ziegler Natta polymerization. 
  
Copolymers 
Copolymers classification, reactivity ratio definitions and their effect on copolymer composition, copolymers synthesis 
  
Polymer reactions 
Functionalization of polymers, industrial examples of polymer reactions, polymer crosslinking 
  
Polymer crystallinity 
Crystallization from polymer melt, crystallization degree and its experimental determination, polymer crystallization kinetic 
  
Molecular weight 
Determination of polymer molecular weight by colligative properties, viscosimetry, size exclusion chromatography, other methods for molecular weight determination 
  
Glass transition temperature 
Definition of glass transition, internal and external factors influencing glass transition, glass transition determination 
   
Polymeric materials degradation 
Thermal and chemical degradation of polymers, depolymerization techniques, polymer recycle, compatibilization, thermovalorization

Readings/Bibliography

- Associazione Italiana di Scienza e Tecnologia delle Macromolecole,Fondamenti di Scienza dei Polimeri , Pacini editore (1998)

- S. Bruckner, G. Allegra, M. Pegoraro, F.P. La Mantia, Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali Polimerici , Edises editore (2001)

Teaching methods

Lectures and  exercises carried out in the classroom

Assessment methods

Assessment of the course will be via an oral exam.

Teaching tools

Videoprjection of the lessons is used in classroom.  
The students are also able to obtain directly the above material form the Univeristy Digital Library Service.  

Office hours

See the website of Daniele Caretti