OVERVIEW

The teaching “Synthesis and Industrial Production of Polymers” provides the general concepts of  polymers synthesis, necessary to address their production on a large scale.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to learn methods for the synthesis of polymer materials. In particular, the provided theoretical bases as well as the previous knowledges of kinetics, thermodynamics, reactoristics and those of organic chemistry, will allow the students to face problems concerning the industrial production of widely used polymers.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the teaching “Synthesis and Industrial Production of Polymers” is to provide the general concepts of  polymers synthesis, necessary to address their production on a large scale. At the end of the course, by attending and participating the proposed educational activities and by the individual study, the students will be able to: i) know the methodologies for the synthesis of industrial interest macromolecules, ii) deduce, on the basis of the chemical-physical properties of the used monomers, the most suitable synthesis method and iii) establish the polymerization conditions (temperature, time, type of reactor, etc.) on the basis of the final characteristics of the polymer material and the cost-effectiveness of the process.

TEACHING METHODS

The course includes also lectures carried out through discussion with the students. Copies of the slides, presented during the lessons, will be available on AulaWeb and can be used as a basis for the study. Indeed, the exam preparation should to be accomplished by the lessons attendance as well as by the study of the suggested texts. In order to stimulate the discussion with students, scenarios will be proposed which could present only relevant information (defined as well structured) or even irrelevant information (defined as ill-structured). This didactic method will be applied to describe a real or hypothetical situation, short and general, which will allow discussing and taking decisions.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

- GENERAL NOTES ON MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY.

-  STEP-GROWTH POLYMERIZATION. 

Definition of the number average degree of polymerization; Kinetics and thermodynamics of polymerizations; Reaction mechanisms; Multifunctional step polymerization; Application of the step polymerization in the industrial polymer production (polyamides, polyesters and polyurethanes).

- INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION OF ALIPHATIC POLYESTERS FROM RENEWABLE SOURCES (PLA and PHA).

- SYNTHESIS OF DENDRITIC MACROMOLECULES.

- INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION OF RESINS.

- CHAIN-GROWTH ​​POLYMERIZATION.

Study of the kinetics; Transfer reactions; degree of polymerization; gel effect. Suspension and emulsion polymerizations. Application of chain polymerization in the industrial production of polymers (PS, PE, copolymers, etc.).

- SUSPENSION AND EMULSION POLYMERIZATION.

- COPOLYMERIZATIONS.

Study of the kinetics; Reactivity ratio. Examples of industrial copolymerization processes.

- IONIC POLYMERIZATIONS.

- COORDINATION POLYMERIZATIONS: ZIEGLER NATTA CATALYSIS.

Application of Ziegler-Natta catalysts in the industrial production of polymers (PP and PE).

For students following 3 or 4 credits, the number of examples related to the industrial production of polymers will be reduced.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

- Fundamentals of Polymer Science, edited by M. Guaita, F.Ciardelli, F.La Mantia, E.Pedemonte, Pacini Editore, Pisa 1998;

- Didactic material provided by the teacher;

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

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ORIETTA MONTICELLI (President)

MARINA ALLOISIO

DARIO CAVALLO

ANTONIO COMITE

SILVIA VICINI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The start of the lessons will be available on the Degree Course website (https://chimica.unige.it/node/389).

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral exams. 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.

For students with disabilities or with SLD, the examination methods are in accordance with the University Regulations for carrying out the exams (https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa).

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The student's reasoning ability as well as his capacity to solve small practical problems will be evaluated. In general, two questions will be asked, each weighing 50% on the final evaluation, one on the theoretical aspects of polymer synthesis and one on industrial polymerization examples.The exam will assess the acquisition of the main concepts concerning the preparation of polymer materials and the student’s capacity to apply them to simple real situations. The Commission is made up of at least two components, one of which is the person responsible for the teaching. With these modalities, the Commission will be able to verify the achievement of the educational objectives of the teaching. In the case these are not achieved, the student will be invited to deepen the study also requesting any additional explanations to the teacher.

Exam schedule