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 complement the fundamentals acquired in Polymeric Materials Science and Technology in the second year of the course of study, the teaching aims to: -introduce general concepts on the synthesis of macromolecules; -provide basic concepts on polymer solutions and polymer blends; -introduce the concept of elastomers and their chemical and physical properties.

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.

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 and specific learning disabilities (SLD): Students with disabilities or specific learning disabilities (SLD) may request exam adaptations. Certification must be uploaded to the University website at servizionline.unige.it in the "Students" section. The documentation will be verified by the University's Services for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and SLD (https://rubrica.unige.it/strutture/struttura/100111). Subsequently, well in advance (at least 7 days) before the exam date, the appropriate online form must be completed (https://modulionline.unige.it/richiesta-adattamenti#no-back). For further information on requesting services and adaptations, please visit https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/richiesta-servizi