OVERVIEW

The teaching of Macromolecular Chemistry aims to convey general concepts of the synthesis of macromolecules, basic thermodynamic knowledge about the solubility of polymers in common solvents and about the miscibility between macromolecules. Finally, elastomeric materials and their most important chemical-physical properties are presented.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

To complete the fundamentals acquired in the second year of the course, the course aims to broaden the basic knowledge on the properties of solid-state and solution polymers, to introduce general concepts on synthesis and large-scale production technologies and to give hints to their transformation.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aims of the teaching are: to learn the main mechanisms of macromolecule synthesis; to understand the mechanism of solubility/miscibility of macromolecules; to understand what constitutes an elastomeric material, how it can be obtained and its main chemical-physical properties.

As far as synthesis is concerned, the theoretical knowledge imparted as well as the references to the previous knowledge in kinetics, thermodynamics and organic chemistry will make it possible to deal with the basic problems related to polymerization reactions.

At the end of the teaching, through attendance and participation in the proposed training activities and individual study, the student will be able to:

- know the main polymerization methods and deduce the most appropriate synthesis approach based on the chemical-physical properties of the monomers used;

- know the thermodynamics of the solubilization of polymeric materials and be able to identify the best solvents;

- know the polymer blends, their potential and their application problems;

- know the elastomeric materials and their properties and be able to deduce which macromolecules are suitable for the production of these materials based on the chemical structure of the repeating unit.

PREREQUISITES

No special prerequisites are required for this teaching.

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching includes frontal lessons, which are also carried out through discussions with the students. Copies of the slides presented in class will be made available on AulaWeb and can be used as a basis for study. The slides can only serve as a reference for the study of the topics covered, which must be accompanied by class participation and study of the proposed texts. The teaching consists of 4 CFU corresponding to: 30 hours of frontal teaching and 2 hours of iterative activity carried out to promote discussion with the students and their active participation, during which real or hypothetical scenarios are proposed, videos and clickers and 68 hours of personal study.

For disabled students or those with DSA, the examination methods comply with the University's regulations (https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa).

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

General information on macromolecular chemistry. General conditions for the synthesis of macromolecules. Step polymerizations. Examples of step polycondensations. Chain-growth polymerizations (radical polymerizations and ionic polymerizations). Examples of radical polymerizations. Copolymerizations.

Introduction to the concepts of polymers in solution and polymer blends, thermodynamics of blends, identification of UCSL and LCST and Flory-Huggins theory. Elastomers and rubber elasticity.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

- Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali Polimerici, a cura di Sergio Bruckner, EdiSES Edizioni, Napoli 2016;

-Fondamenti di struttura, proprietà e tecnologia dei polimeri, a cura di Enrico Pedemonte, Edizioni Nuova Cultura, Roma 2012;

- Teaching material will be provided by the teacher;

- Additional material will be provided upon request for working students or students with DSA to meet specific needs.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The biginning of the lessons is available on the Course website.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam will be held orally. In cases of emergency and only in accordance with special provisions expressly issued by the University of Genoa, the method of conducting the profit examinations may be changed in order to make it possible to take the examination online. In general, two questions are asked, each of which contributes 50% to the final mark, one on aspects related to the synthesis of macromolecules and one on aspects related to the solubility or miscibility of polymers or elastomeric materials.

For students with disabilities or DSA, the exam methods are aligned with the University regulations for conducting profit exams (https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa).

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The examination must assess the acquisition of key concepts related to:
- the synthesis of macromolecules;
- the thermodynamic concepts that underlie polymer solutions and polymer mixtures;
- elastomeric materials and rubber elasticity and whether the student is able to apply these to simple real-life situations.
In particular, both logical reasoning and the ability to solve simple practical problems related to the polymerization process, the identification of suitable solvents for the study of materials, the mixing and/or reactive blending process between polymers and potentially elastomeric materials will be assessed.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with disabilities or specific learning disabilities (SLD) are reminded that in order to request adaptations during the exam, they must first enter the certification on the University website at servizionline.unige.it in the “Students” section. The documentation will be verified by the University Services Sector for the inclusion of students with disabilities and SLD.

Subsequently, well in advance (at least 10 days) of the exam date, an email must be sent to the teacher with whom the exam will be taken, copying both the School Contact Teacher for the inclusion of students with disabilities and SLD (sergio.didomizio@unige.it) and the Sector indicated above. In the email you must specify:

• the name of the course

• the date of the exam

• the student's surname, name and matriculation number

• the compensatory tools and dispensatory measures deemed functional and required.

The contact person will confirm to the teacher that the applicant has the right to request adaptations during the exam and that such adaptations must be agreed with the teacher. The teacher will respond by communicating whether it is possible to use the requested adaptations.

Requests must be sent at least 10 days before the exam date in order to allow the teacher to evaluate the content. In particular, if you intend to use concept maps for the exam (which must be much more concise than the maps used for studying), if the sending does not respect the expected times there will not be the technical time necessary to make any changes.

For further information on requesting services and adaptations, please consult the document: Guidelines for requesting services, compensatory tools and/or dispensatory measures and specific aids.