Fundamentals of Polymer Chemistry and Laboratory
Module Module 2

Academic Year 2022/2023 - Teacher: ANGELO NICOSIA

Expected Learning Outcomes

This course aims to describe the development and practical aspects of polymer syntheses. Chain and step-growth polymerizations will be approached, in both homogeneous and heterogeneous phases. 

Course Structure

Frontal lessons and laboratory experiments. 

Required Prerequisites

Knowledge of Organic, Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry.

Attendance of Lessons

Attendance is mandatory.

Detailed Course Content

Purification and stabilization of solvents, monomers and catalysts commonly used in polymer syntheses. 

Radical and ionic chain polymerization, through monophase and multiphase processes.

Step-growth polymerization, through bulk and solution approaches. Syntheses of block and statistical copolymers. Approach to ionic cross-linking of polymers. 

Characterization of the obtained polymers: solubility, viscosity, molecular mass distribution, thermal and spectroscopic properties.

Textbook Information

Lecture notes.

Course Planning

 SubjectsText References
1Evoluzione del concetto di macromolecola
2Nomenclatura e Analisi costituzionale dei Polimeri
3Relazione struttura-proprietà delle principali classi di materiali polimerici
4Analisi configurazionale: sistemi vinilici, 1,2 vinilidenici e dienici, microtatticità e analisi NMR
5Polimerizzazioni con meccanismo a catena: Radicalica, Anionica e Cationica, Polimerizzazioni coordinative con catalizzatori Ziegler-Natta, ossidi metallici e metalloceni
6Polimerizzazioni per apertura di cicli
7Polimerizzazioni a stadi: polimerizzazione a stadi lineare e a stadi polifunzionale
8Copolimerizzazione
9Processi di produzione dei polimeri e alcuni esempi di preparazione industriale: in massa, in soluzione e polifasiche (in emulsione, in sospensione, interfacciale e in dispersione)
10Cenni sui più usati materiali polimerici: poliolefine, polivinili, polidieni, poliesteri, poliammidi, polieteri, poliuretani, poliimmidi e resine

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

Evaluation of the laboratory reports and oral exam. The lab reports must be provided within the maximum term of two weeks before the exam. 

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

-The candidate should describe the preliminary operations, the instruments, and the procedures needed to perform the required polymer synthesis.

-The candidate should describe the theoretical approach and the maths operations used in the calculation of the mean molecular masses using the experimental data obtained from GPC analysis. 

-The candidate should describe the viscosimetric approach to the calculation of the mean molecular mass of polymers.