66839 - Functional Polymeric Materials

Academic Year 2017/2018

  • Moduli: Maria Letizia Focarete (Modulo 1) Chiara Gualandi (Modulo 2)
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures (Modulo 1) Traditional lectures (Modulo 2)
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Photochemistry and molecular materials (cod. 8026)

Course contents

Lectures:

  • Structure-property relations in polymeric materials. Review of macromolecular chemistry principles.
  • Mechanical properties of polymeric materials. Viscoelasticity. Mechanical models. Creep, stress relaxation, stress strain measurements. Time-temperature superposition principle.
  • Relaxation processes in polymers. Dynamic mechanical spectroscopy.
  • Copolymers. Dependence of thermal and mechanical properties on composition and morphology.
  • Binary polymer blends. Miscibility and phase diagrams in blends with amorphous and/or crystallisable components. Thermal transitions and mechanical properties dependence on composition. Interpenetrated polymer networks.
  • Rubber-toughening of polymers.
  • Polymer composites.
  • Nanocomposites. Organic-inorganic hybrids.
  • Polymeric materials from renewable resources.
  • Polymeric materials designed to perform specific functions: superabsorbent polymers, polymeric materials with high thermal stability and resistance to aggressive environments, biodegradable polymeric materials, biocompatible and bio-resorbable polymeric materials, shape memory polymers, polymeric materials with liquid crystalline behaviour, high modulus fibres.

Laboratory experiments:

Sample preparation for the various experiments by means of mixing/injection molding and/or hot pressing. Solid-state characterization of polymeric materials by the following experimental techniques: thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, tensile mechanical testing, optical microscopy, dynamic-mechanical spectroscopy.

Readings/Bibliography

Books for consultation, copy of the material shown during lecturing and Power Point presentations provided by the lecturer.

Chapters relative to specific subjects of the course in:

- “Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali Polimerici” S. Brukner et al. Ed. Edises, Napoli, 2001

- J.M.G. Covie and V. Arrighi, "Polymers: Chemistry and Physics of Modern Materials", 3rd Edition, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, USA, 2008

Teaching methods

The Course is structured into two parts:

  1. 40 hours of lectures where the various parts of the course contents are developed, and the background of the experimental techniques that will be applied in the Lab is  provided.
  2. 16 hours of Laboratory experiments where the student, working in a group with other students, carries out the solid-state characterization of a given functional polymeric material and prepare a presentation where he explains the obtain results and discusses the results.

Assessment methods

Assessment will be carried out by an oral examination (30-40 minutes) during which the student will have to demonstrate his knowledge on the correlations between structure and properties in polymeric materials designed to perform specific functions. The final mark will also take into account the results of the laboratory experiments carried out by the student.


Teaching tools

Videoprojector, PC, overhad projector, laboratory

Office hours

See the website of Maria Letizia Focarete

See the website of Chiara Gualandi