OVERVIEW

The teaching provides practical tools to develop knowledge on laboratory methods for the synthesis, formulation, and characterization of materials of significant industrial interest.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the teaching is to give knowledges about the polymerization methods and the characterization of polymer materials, composites and lubrificants.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching is divided in two moduli of 5 ECTs held by two teachers. More information are available in the corresponding modulus forms.

Attendance and active participation in the proposed training activities and the individual study will allow the student to:

- know in depth the main polymerization techniques and be able to experimentally carry out some syntheses;

- know the main techniques for the characterization of polymers, lubricating oils and polymer nanocomposites/composites,

- relate the chemical-physical properties of materials with their formulation,

- plan a laboratory activity.

PREREQUISITES

None.

TEACHING METHODS

Attendance at laboratory and at preparatory lessons for these activities is compulsory. The students, divided into small groups, will apply the experimental protocol provided and the methods described. At the end of the activities, the students will present a report with the results obtained. The organization and dates of the laboratory activities will be communicated directly by the teachers in charge at the beginning of the lessons.

A copy of the slides presented in class will be available on AulaWeb and can be used as a basis for studying. The slides can only be a reference for the study and they have to be combined with the lectures attendance as well as with the study of texts.These slides will help in drafting the reports to be presented regarding the laboratory activities.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Mod. I - 5 CFU

- PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF FORMULATIONS BASED ON LUBRICANT OILS.

The formulations will be prepared by applying compounds generally applied in the lubricating oil industry and taking into account the knowledge acquired in some theoretical teachings. Concerning the characterization of the prepared formulations, viscosity measurements will be carried out by using Hoppler and Engler viscometer. The viscosity index will be evaluated by means of the Cannon-Fenske viscometer and the closed and open cup flash points. Rheological measurements will also be performed by exploiting a rotational viscometer. The students will be able to correlate the preparation conditions of the formulations with their final properties by analysing the characterization data collected by the various working groups. During the course, the most effective method for describing the experimental results will be illustrated, by drawing up a report. The experiments carried out in the laboratory will end with a discussion on the results obtained. An industrial expert will also participate to the discussion.

- PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF FORMULATIONS BASED ON POLYMER MATERIALS.

Polymer-based formulations will be developed, combining polymer matrices with inorganic nanofillers. In particular, a commercial nanofiller will be modified, by the use of different types of compatibilizers. This laboratory activity will be designed directly by the students, starting from procedures reported in the literature. The modified nanofillers will be characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray diffraction measurements. The results will be discussed by the students and through the elaboration of reports, comparing the results obtained with those reported in the literature. For this purpose, methods for carrying out a detailed bibliographic search will be provided. The prepared systems will be used to nanocomposites based on polyamide 6, using the in situ polymerization approach. This experience will allow students to apply some fundamental concepts analyzed in some theoretical courses dealing with macromolecular chemistry (see for example the detailed program of “Synthesis and Industrial Production of Polymers”). The prepared systems will be characterized by X-ray diffraction measurements, microscopic analysis and mechanical tests.

Mod. II - 5 CFU

Synthesis of polymers in bulk and emulsion will be developed, after purification of monomers and initiator with different methods. Correlation between synthetic parameters as monomer and initiator concentration etc. with molecular weight and yield of polymers will be carried out.

The results will be discussed by the students, comparing data obtained with different synthesis conditions. This experience will allow students to apply some fundamental concepts analyzed in some theoretical courses dealing with macromolecular chemistry.   

Polymers will be fractionated and characterized by viscosimetric (with Ubbelohde viscosimeter), thermal (DSC) and spectroscopic measurements (FT-IR with ATR and DRIFT). Study of mixing of polymers will be performed, by thermal analysis and by using of empirical equations. Measurement of superficial properties of polymeric films, by determination of contact angle will be carried out.

The experiments carried out in the laboratory will end with a discussion on the results and with the description of the report, that will be discussed during the examination.  

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

S.R. Sandler, W. Karo, J.A. Bonesteel, E.M. Pearce. Polymer Synthesis and Characterization, Academic Press, New York.

W. Dresel, Lubrificants and Lubrification, Wiley.

Supplementary material is provided, if requested, to working students or students with SLD to meet specific need.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ORIETTA MONTICELLI (President)

MARINA ALLOISIO

MAILA CASTELLANO

DARIO CAVALLO

ANTONIO COMITE

SILVIA VICINI (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Teaching is held during the first semester of the academic year.

The first Modulus will start on October 2nd, 2023.The second Modulus will start in the middle of November 2023, after the end of the first Modulus.

Timetable and start of lessons can be found at:

https://corsi.unige.it/9020/p/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Proof of learning is carried out through a final oral exam, conducted by two teachers, lasting about 60 minutes, which ascertains the knowledge acquired by the student and its ability to deal with practical problems concerning laboratory experiences. Students will be required to submit reports, describing their laboratory experience. The reports will be evaluated on the basis of their content and form. The assessment will be based on the oral exam (30%), on the laboratory reports (40%) as well as on the students’ performance (accuracy, behavior, punctuality, order) during the practical activities (30%). When the educational objectives of the teaching are not achieved, the student is invited to deepen the study and to ask further explanations to the teacher. To ensure the correspondence between the topics of the exam and those developed during the course, both the detailed program and the register of teaching lessons are shown on AulaWeb, so that the students can verify their adherence.

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).

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

Both through the reports of the laboratory experiences and through the oral exam will be evaluated the student's ability to think critically on the topics presented, to have elaborated and adopted the concepts presented during the lessons and to have integrated the information of the various topics through the personal study. In particular, it will be assessed the student’s ability to:

• describe the main characterization techniques of lubricant oils, polymer and composite materials in a clear way and with correct scientific terminology will be assessed.
• illustrate in detail the main polymer synthesis techniques and to apply the characterization techniques, showing their potentiality and limits, and demonstrating ability to interpret, compare and discuss the results obtained, in a clear way and with a correct scientific terminology will be evaluated; the quality of the oral presentation will be considered.

Exam schedule