OVERVIEW

Polymeric materials are formulations having a polymer or a mixture of polymers as the main component.

Owing to their high versatility, they are widely employed across a broad range of industrial sectors and in everyday applications.

This class provides the fundamentals to the knowledge of this class of materials, with particular emphasis on the relationships between structure and properties, which determine their performance and account for their widespread use.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The subject of the course is materials having a polymer or a mixture of polymers as their main component. The basic knowledge for the study of polymeric matrix materials will be provided, describing the main classes of polymers with their respective sectors of use and the most common molecular and chemical-physical characterization techniques, also through laboratory exercises

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The class introduces the science and technology of polymeric materials, with the aim of highlighting the relationships between composition, structure, and properties, also in connection with experimental data obtained from the main characterization techniques. To this end, lectures are complemented by application-oriented examples drawn from everyday life and industrial practice.

Upon completion of the class, it will be possible to:

• describe the molecular structure of the main polymers and classify them according to different criteria;
• correlate the chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of polymeric materials with their composition and structure;
• use appropriate scientific terminology to describe phenomena and processes involving polymeric materials;
• identify and interpret information provided by the most common thermal characterization techniques for polymeric materials;
• identify and interpret information obtained from the main techniques used to determine the molecular weight of polymers.

The class is shared with the bachelor’s degree in Materials Science and is also offered as an optional teaching unit (4 ECTS) in other degree programs. In the latter case, the learning outcomes do not include the last item of the list.

PREREQUISITES

For the bachelor’s degree in chemistry and chemical technologies, passing the Organic Chemistry I exam is required.

For the bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, there are no formal prerequisites; however, it is strongly recommended to have passed the exams in General and Inorganic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry.

TEACHING METHODS

The class consists of lectures for a total of 40 hours (5 ECTS) and theoretical–practical laboratory activities for a total of 13 hours (1 ECTS). Attendance at laboratory activities is mandatory, in accordance with the regulations of the Degree Courses involved.

Laboratory activities, organized in small groups, involve the application of characterization techniques for polymeric materials under the supervision of the professor. At the end of the laboratory activities, a brief report on the results obtained is required.

The organization and schedule of laboratory activities will be communicated at the end of the lecture period.

To support the learning process, teaching materials (lecture notes) are made available on the AulaWeb platform in parallel with the topics covered in class. The same platform also provides quizzes, tests (with an indicative duration of one hour), and exam simulations, to be completed asynchronously for individual self-assessment.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

First part (4 ECTS)

General concepts related to polymers and polymeric materials. Structure of the polymer chain: composition, configuration, and conformation. Polymer nomenclature. Classification of polymers according to different criteria (chain structure, degree and mechanism of polymerization, origin, physical and technological properties).

Solid state in polymeric materials: amorphous and crystalline states; glass transition temperature and influencing parameters; melting and crystallization temperatures and related parameters; thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of melting and crystallization processes.

Structure, properties, and main application fields of amorphous, semicrystalline, thermosetting, and elastomeric polymers.

Solid-state characterization techniques (densitometry, differential scanning calorimetry, determination of the degree of crystallinity, thermogravimetric analysis).

Second part (1 ECTS)

Techniques for determining the molecular weight of polymers: osmometry, viscometry, light scattering, ultracentrifugation, size-exclusion chromatography.

Third part (1 ECTS, practical activities)

Laboratory activities consisting of two experiments:

1. fractionation of a polydisperse sample of poly(oxyethylene) in aqueous solution;
2. determination of the molecular weight of poly(oxyethylene) fractions by density gradient characterization.

The second and third parts of the program are not included for students who choose the class as a 4-ECTS optional teaching unit.

Based on the content described, the class contributes to the achievement of the following Sustainable Development Goals of the Agenda of the ONU 2030 Agenda: Goal 4. Quality Education, Goal 5. Gender Equality and Goal 12. Responsible consumption and production.

The detailed syllabus is available on the AulaWeb portal, where students can verify its consistency with the learning objectives of the teaching unit.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The following supporting texts are suggested limited to the program contents:

Scienza e tecnologie dei materiali, D. R. Askeland, P. P. Fulay, W. J. Wright – Edizioni Città Studi, 2017

Fondamenti di Struttura, Proprietà e Tecnologia dei Polimeri- Testi AIM - Edizioni Nuova Cultura, 2011

Fondamenti di Scienza dei Polimeri - M. Guaita, F. Ciardelli, E. Pedemonte - Pacini Editore, 2009

Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali Polimerici - S. Bruckner, G. Allegra, M. Pegoraro, F.P. La Mantia- EdiSES, 2007

Introduction to synthetic polymers – I. M. Campbell – Oxford Press, 2000 – 2nd edition.

Fundamentals of Polymer Science – P. C. Painter, M. M. Coleman - Technomic Publishing Co., Inc., 1997- 2nd edition.

Polymers: Chemistry and Physics of Modern Materials – J. M. G. Cowie – Blackie Academic & Professional, Chapman & Hull Eds., 1991 – 2nd edition.

Specific guidelines on the reference bibliography related to the class content will be provided by the professor at the beginning of the lectures.

Supplementary material is provided upon request in cases of specific learning disorders (SLDs) or partial attendance due to work commitments.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The class is held on the first semester. The lessons timetable is available within the link below:

https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The assessment consists of a written exam and an oral exam, both conducted by two instructors, including the professor in charge.

During the academic year, seven official exam sessions are scheduled, distributed within the time windows defined by the regulations of the Degree Courses involved. Extraordinary exam sessions outside these periods are reserved exclusively for students not in regular attendance.

The written exam is divided into two parts, contributing to the final grade (out of 30) as follows:

• a first part, focused on the interpretation and discussion of experimental data obtained from the characterization of polymeric materials (up to 14/30);
• a second part, consisting of a test with four questions, either multiple-choice and/or open-ended, covering different topics of the syllabus (up to 10/30).

The content of the written exam is adjusted according to the number of ECTS credits specified in the study plan.

The oral exam, accounting for up to 6/30, is structured based on the number of ECTS credits:

• for the 6-ECTS class, it consists of the discussion of laboratory reports (up to 3/30) and one question on structure–property relationships in a class of polymers or a specific polymer (up to 3/30);
• for the 4-ECTS course, it consists of two questions on structure–property relationships in a class of polymers or a specific polymer (up to 6/30).

Access to the oral examination is granted with a score of 12/30 or higher in the written test; a score of 18/30 or higher allows the student to opt out of the oral examination.

Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLDs) may request accommodation for the examination. It is necessary to upload the relevant certification on the University website at servizionline.unige.it in the “Students” section. The documentation will be verified by the University Service for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and SLDs. Subsequently, well in advance (at least 7 days) before the exam date, the appropriate online request form must be submitted.

For further information students with certified disabilities or SLDs registered with the University are invited to contact the professor by e-mail, as well as the disability officer of at the School of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences, prof. Sergio di Domizio (sergio.didomizio@unige.it).

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The examination is aimed at verifying the achievement of the class learning objectives, with particular reference to the ability to:

• correlate the properties of polymeric materials with their composition and structure;
• integrate and compare information obtained through the main characterization techniques covered in the class.

The examination also assesses the level of understanding of the topics addressed and the appropriate use of scientific terminology in their presentation.

If the learning objectives are not achieved, further individual study of the class content is recommended, including consultation with the professor, before retaking the examination.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Ask the professor in charge for other information not included in the teaching schedule.