OVERVIEW

This teaching provides an in-depth overview of circular economy principles with a specific focus on the polymer lifecycle. Key topics include conventional and emerging recycling methods, sustainable design strategies for polymeric materials, and the development of new materials following the principles of green chemistry.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching provides the means for acquiring knowledge and comprehension of diverse Polymer Recycling Technologies. This encompasses a comprehensive examination of conventional methodologies, namely mechanical, chemical, and thermal processes, alongside contemporary innovations, inclusive of sophisticated sorting and purification techniques. Additionally, students will understand the environmental and economic advantages associated with the implementation of a Circular Economy paradigm, specifically within the context of polymer recycling. Furthermore, they will actively engage with industry experts through seminars and presentations. This interactive discourse aims to facilitate the understanding of prevailing trends, challenges, and achievements in polymer recycling. Insights gleaned from Industry representatives will contribute to gain a profound insight into the intricacies inherent in various recycling processes.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide fundamental theoretical and practical knowledge of polymer design and end-of-life management. Students will explore how the chemical structure of different polymers affects their recyclability and degradability, and will be introduced to the basic principles for designing sustainable materials. During laboratory sessions, students will gain hands-on experience in correlating polymer structure with end-of-life behavior.

By the end of the course, students will:

• Understand core concepts of circular economy applied to polymers
• Master basic strategies for sustainable material design
• Gain practical experience in the synthesis, recycling and degradation of plastics. 

PREREQUISITES

To achieve the teaching goals successfully, a preexisting basic knowledge of polymer science is requested.

TEACHING METHODS

• Lectures (40 hours: classroom + industrial seminar)
• Laboratory Experience (13 hours, mandatory attendance)

The course includes 40 hours of classroom teaching, focusing on core concepts related to circular economy and sustainability, particularly the recycling and degradation of polymers and the design of sustainable materials. Lectures will be complemented by seminars held by representatives from industry and academia, presenting real-world case studies.

In the laboratory sessions, students will work in small groups to apply the theoretical knowledge gained during the lectures. They will use various methods for the recycling and synthesis of degradable materials and investigate their degradation behaviour. Students will also become familiar with relevant software tools.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Lectures will focus on circular economy concepts: impacts of plastic waste managment from both economic and environmental perspectives;  Polymer waste treatment, including sorting, mechanical recycling, and chemical recycling methods; Biodegradable plastics: definitions and degradation mechanisms. Focus on selected polymer classes: polyhydroxyalkanoates, polyesters, cellulose- and lignin-based polymers, chitin and chitosan, polyelectrolytes, and protein-based polymers; Economic aspects of bio-derived and biodegradable plastics.

Laboratory activities and examples:
– Synthesis of bio-derived hydrogels and their application in water remediation
– Synthesis and degradation of starch-based polymers
– Chemical recycling of PET

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The slides of the teaching are made available in the Aulaweb page of the teaching in which other study and in-depth resources are made available as well as guidelines and materials to support laboratory activities

·Dimitris I. Collias, Martin I. James, John M. Layman, Circular Economy of Polymers: Topics in Recycling, ACS Symposium Series, Vol. 1391, 2021- DOI: 10.1021/bk-2021-1391

·Michiel Dusselier and Jean-Paul Lange, Biodegradable Polymers in the Circular Plastics Economy, Wiley 2022- SBN: 978-3-527-34761-2

·Stephan Kabasci, Biobased Plastics: Materials and applications, Wiley, 2014 – ISBN 978-1-119-99400-8

·Natalie Rudolph, Raphael Kiesel, Chuanchom Aumnate, Understanding Plastics Recycling: Economic, Ecological, and Technical Aspects of Plastic Waste Handling, Hanser Publications, 2017 - ISBN: 978-1-56990-676-7

·Rezgar Hasanzadeh, Parisa Mojaver, Plastic Waste Treatment and Management: Gasification processes, Springer, 2023, ISBN: 978-3-031-31159-8

·Vincent Voet, Jan Jager, Rudy Folkersma, Plastics in the Circular Economy, De Gruyter, 2021, SBN 978-3-11-066675-5

·Katrina Knauer, Circular Plastics Technologies, De Gruyter, 2024, ISBN 978-1-5015-2328-1

·Zhen Fang, Richard L. Smith Jr, Lujiang Xu, Production of Biofuels and Chemicals with Pyrolysis, Springer, 2020, ISBN 978-981-15-2731-9

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

First semester: tentatively, first/second wee of October. For further details/updates, please check https://corsi.unige.it/en/corsi/11767

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of a written test covering the topics discussed during the course. It will include both multiple-choice questions, which will account for approximately 60% of the final mark, and short open questions, which will account for the remaining 40%.

In case of emergency and only according to specific indications by the University of Genoa, the assessment method for the exam might be changed, including the possibility of an online procedure.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The aim of the exam is to verify the achievement of the intended learning objectives. If these objectives are not met, the student will be encouraged to further study the topics, with the support of the teacher’s explanations, and attempt the exam again. During the laboratory classes, teachers will assess the extent of students' participation and their capability in conducting experimental work. The exam will ascertain whether the student has attained an adequate level of knowledge on the course topics, with particular reference to polymer processing and the correlations between manufacturing conditions and properties.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Si ricorda alle studentesse e agli studenti con disabilità o con disturbi specifici dell'apprendimento (DSA) che per poter richiedere adattamenti in sede d'esame occorre prima inserire la certificazione sul sito web di Ateneo alla pagina servizionline.unige.it nella sezione “Studenti”. La documentazione sarà verificata dal Settore servizi per l’inclusione degli studenti con disabilità e con DSA dell’Ateneo, come indicato sul sito federato al link: SUSTAINABLE POLYMER AND PROCESS CHEMISTRY 11767 | Studenti con disabilità e/o DSA | UniGe | Università di Genova | Corsi di Studio UniGe.

Successivamente, con significativo anticipo (almeno 10 giorni) rispetto alla data di esame occorre inviare una e-mail al/alla docente con cui si sosterrà la prova di esame, inserendo in copia conoscenza sia il docente Referente di Scuola per l'inclusione degli studenti con disabilità e con DSA (sergio.didomizio@unige.it) sia il Settore sopra indicato. Nella e-mail occorre specificare:

•            la denominazione dell’insegnamento

•            la data dell'appello

•            il cognome, nome e numero di matricola dello studente

•            gli strumenti compensativi e le misure dispensative ritenuti funzionali e richiesti.

Il/la referente confermerà al/alla docente che il/la richiedente ha diritto a fare richiesta di adattamenti in sede d'esame e che tali adattamenti devono essere concordati con il/la docente. Il/la docente risponderà comunicando se sia possibile utilizzare gli adattamenti richiesti.

Le richieste devono essere inviate almeno 10 giorni prima della data dell’appello al fine di consentire al/alla docente di valutarne il contenuto. In particolare, nel caso in cui si intenda usufruire di mappe concettuali per l’esame (che devono essere molto più sintetiche rispetto alle mappe usate per lo studio) se l’invio non rispetta i tempi previsti non vi sarà il tempo tecnico necessario per apportare eventuali modifiche.

Per ulteriori informazioni in merito alla richiesta di servizi e adattamenti consultare il documento: Linee guida per la richiesta di servizi, di strumenti compensativi e/o di misure dispensative e di ausili specifici