78009 - Bio-Polymers

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student is able to evaluate the environmental sustainability of a polymeric material, he is able to design its extraction/synthesis from a renewable resource, to evaluate its possible applications and disposal. The student understands the impact of a polymeric material with the environment during its life. Moreover, the student has gained the tools to understand the structure-property correlations in polymeric materials and he is able to predict its physical and chemical properties on the basis of its molecular structure.

Course contents

Review of macromolecular chemistry: synthesis and structure- property correlation of the main polymer classes

Definition of polymer form renewable resource and methods to define the amount of biobased content (ISO16620)

Biorefinery: production of monomers, building blocks and polymers

Polymer disposal and recycling: biodegradation and composting (definition, mechanism, ISO14855), chemical recycling and incineration

Polymers from renewable resource by extraction or fermentation (cellulose, starch, chitin and chitosan, polyhydroxyalkanoates)

Monomers from renewable resources and their polymers (polylactic acid, PEF, polybutylene succinate, aliphatic polyamides)

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of polymeric materials

Readings/Bibliography

The lesson's notes will be fundamental. Teaching material (scientific books, literature articles and power point presentations) will be distributed during lessons.

Teaching methods

Room lectures with the aid of projector.

Assessment methods

Learning assessment is based on oral examination at the end of the course. The oral examination will last around 30 minutes.

Teaching tools

Lectures with the aid of PC, projector.

Office hours

See the website of Chiara Gualandi