66694 - Fundamentals of Polymer Science with Laboratory

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will be able to understand the various mechanisms involved in polymerization reactions, focusing on both chain and step polymerizations, including their kinetic and operational aspects. The student will gain knowledge about the main types of monomers used and fundamental concepts regarding the physical and chemical properties of macromolecules, especially concerning structure-property relationships. Additionally, the student will have practical laboratory skills in the synthesis and characterization of some industrially relevant polymers. In particular, they will learn various commonly used polymerization techniques (bulk, solution, interfacial) as well as methodologies related to the identification of the obtained products and the evaluation of molecular weight.

Course contents

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of organic chemistry, general chemistry and physical chemistry

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

Glass transition temperature
Definition of glass transition, internal and external factors influencing glass transition, glass transition temperature determination

Molecular weight
Determination of polymer molecular weight by colligative properties, viscosimetry, size exclusion chromatography, other methods for molecular weight determination

The course also includes lectures and practical laboratory exercises concerning:
Synthesis of polymers by polyaddition and polycondensation reactions, and their purification.
Examples of the most commonly used polymerizations techniques (bulk, solution, interfacial).
Characterization and analysis of polymeric materials.
Analysis and identification of natural, artificial and synthetic fibers

Readings/Bibliography

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

- Elisabetta Princi, Sintesi di Polimeri, Testi AIM, Edizioni Nuova Cultura (Roma) (2012)

- S. Bruckner et. al., Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali Polimerici , Edises editore (2016)

Teaching methods

The institutional course consists of classroom lessons, the resolution of numerical example relating to the issues addressed and discussions with students.

The lab course, in addition to lectures is made of laboratory experiments, that must be carried out by students.

As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit, all students must attend Module 1, 2 online, while Module 3 on health and safety is to be attended in class. Information about Module 3 attendance schedule is available on the website of your degree programme

Assessment methods

The final examination aims to ascertain the level reached for the objectives listed under "learning outcome".

It consists in a written examination aimed to verify the knowledge acquired both in the courses of "fundamentals of polymer science" and "polymer science laboratory". The examination consists of two parts, both held on the same day. To be admitted to the second part, students must obtain a score of at least 5 out of 10 on the first part.

At least 75% of Laboratory course attendance is mandatory for sustaining the exam. The frequency will be assessed by the teacher. Laboratory work is done in groups and must be followed by the presentation of a report for each topic at least 15 days before the date of the examination.

AI can be a useful tool to support independent study by providing explanations, summaries, and self-assessment activities. However, the use of AI during in-person examinations is strictly prohibited. Any use of AI during the examination constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

Videoprjection of the lessons is used in classroom.
The students are also able to obtain directly the above material form "Virtuale"

Students with DSA or disabilities can contact Servizio Studenti con Disabilità e DSA dell’Università di Bologna(http://www.studentidisabili.unibo.it/ [http://http/www.studentidisabili.unibo.it/], Italian only), the Department contact person (Prof. Giorgio Bencivenni, giorgio.bencivenni2@unibo.it [mailto:giorgio.bencivenni2@unibo.it] ) or directly the teacher to address the most convenient approach for accessing teaching materials and supports, and to gain access to all the convenient services and areas of the Departments (i.e. room for frontal lectures).

Office hours

See the website of Daniele Caretti

See the website of Elisabetta Salatelli

See the website of Tiziana Benelli