Macromolecular chemistry
Academic Year 2023/2024 - Teacher: PLACIDO MINEOExpected Learning Outcomes
The aim of the course is to illustrate the mechanistic, kinetic and productive aspects of polymeric materials, correlating their chemical-physical properties with the molecular properties.
Details of the expected learning outcomes
-Knowledge and understanding: knowledge of the main chemical and phenomenological aspects related to the synthesis of polymers and the structure-property correlations;
-Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: being able to develop chemical synthesis processes in relation to the type of polymers to be obtained and their use. Development of knowledge useful for the application of different instrumental/analytical techniques useful for the determination of polymeric properties;
-Making judgements: allow the objective evaluation of the chemical-physical properties of the polymers correlated to the methods of preparation and to the fields of application of the same;
-Communication skills (communication skills): develop and/or improve the ability to present even complex scientific concepts by implementing the technical terminologies suitable for polymeric materials;
Learning skills: Apply techniques and theoretical models for solving problems of macromolecular chemistry.
Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.
Course Structure
Frontal teaching
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Detailed Course Content
Polymer structure: Nomenclature and Constitutional analysis; Structure-Property Relationship; Configurational analysis; microtatticity and NMR analysis; Conformational analysis of solid-state macromolecules and helical symmetries.
Molecular masses of polymers, the degree of polymerization and polydispersion.
Main monomers for the synthesis of polymers.
Mechanisms and kinetics in the synthesis of polymers and copolymers, obtained by means of step and chain polymerization, in a homogeneous and heterogeneous phase.
Introduction to the most common polymeric materials.
Textbook Information
- lecture notes (available in the UNICT Studium platform)
- Fondamenti di scienza dei polimeri. AIM autori vari, Pacini Editore
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolution of the concept of macromolecule | |
| 2 | Nomenclature and constitutional analysis of polymers | |
| 3 | Structure-Property relationship of the main classes of polymeric materials | |
| 4 | Configurational analysis, microtacticity and NMR analysis | |
| 5 | Chain-growth polymerization polymerizations: Radical, Anionic and Cationic, Coordinative polymerizations with Ziegler-Natta catalysts, metal oxides and metallocenes | |
| 6 | Ring open polymerization | |
| 7 | Linear and branched chain-step polymerizations | |
| 8 | Copolymers | |
| 9 | Polymerization processes: bulk, solution and polyphasic (in emulsion, suspension, interfacial and dispersion). | |
| 10 | Introduction to the most used polymeric materials: Polyolefines, polyvinyls, polidienes, polyesters, polyamides, polyethers, polyurethanes, polyimides and resins |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
Structure of polymers: Nomenclature and Constitutional Analysis;
Structure-Property Relationship;
Configurational analysis;
Microtacticity;
Conformational analysis of solid-state macromolecules and helical symmetries.
Molecular masses of polymers, degree of polymerization and polydispersion.
Mechanisms and kinetics of the synthesis of polymers and copolymers, obtained by step and chain polymerization, in homogeneous and heterogeneous phases.
Polymer production processes
Synthesis of the most common polymers.