D1) Knowledge and understanding: at the end of the course students will have acquired basic knowledge on polymer structures, reaction mechanisms and experimental and theoretical methods to determine the structure and processes related to polymers.

D2) Knowledge and ability to apply it: at the of the course students will be able to apply the knowledge acquired in 1) to operate on real systems using chemical and experimental methods.

D3) Independent judgement: students will be able to understand structure / property relationships in macromolecoles. At the end of the course students will be able to operate the techniques autonomously.

D4) Communication skills: at the end of the course students will be able to clearly communicate the concepts acquired in point 1).

D5) Learning ability: at the end of the course students will have developed learning abilities that will allow them to continue studying independently. In particular they will have understood structure / property relationships in polymers and will be able to acquire deeper knowledge of the topics discussed during the course.

basic mathematics and physics,
organic compounds structure and stereochemistry,
classical thermodynamics and principles of statistical thermodynamics,
English language.

1) History of polymers. Sustainable development.
2) Polymers and Macromolecules. Architectures
3) Polymerisation conditions and Reactivity
4) Thermodynamics aspects
5) Molecular mass and mass distributions
6) Reactions for Polymer synthesis
7) Composition, configuration and conformation
8) Structure of polymers in the solid-state
9) Disordered systems and their properties
10) Liquid crystals
11) Characterization techniques for macromolecules and polymers
12) Use of Polymers in Medicine
13) Recycling of polymer materials and alternatives to plastics.

Lesson's drafts, ppt presentations will be available in digital form
AIM- Guaita et al., FONDAMENTI DI SCIENZA DEI POLIMERI, Pacini Ed., 1998
Hiemenz, P. C. POLYMER CHEMISTRY - Marcel Dekker, Inc., N.Y., 1984.
Sperling, L. H. INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL POLYMER SCIENCE, 3rd edition, Wiley & Sons, Inc. N.Y., 2001

1) History and introduction to polymers. The invasion of plastics and related challenges for sustainability.
2) Definitions, polymers and macromolecules. Macromolecular architectures: linear, branched, comb, IPN, SIM, star, dendritic structures. Examples of applications.
3) Polymerisation conditions and Reactivity. Which monomers can polymerize and how the reactions are triggered. Classification of polymer reactions.
4) Thermodynamics of polymerization: energy considerations and requirements for a reaction to occur.
5) Definition of Molecular mass, mass distributions. Flory's distribution.
6) Polymer synthesis. Reactions in detail, kinetics of polymer reactions.
7) Composition, configuration and conformation. Concepts of tacticity and chirality. Ziegler-Natta catalysts to control tacticity.
8) The structure of polymers in the solid-state
a) (semi)ordered systems (polymorphism); b) Polymer crystal morphology
c) Crystallization, thermodynamics and kinetics of crystallization
d) Fusion of crystalline polymers. e)Crystalline state morphology
9) Disordered systems, glassy state, rubbery state, Elastomers and rubber elasticity. Mechanical properties of each state.
10) Liquid-crystalline structures and their applications in technology.
11) Characterization of macromolecules and polymers. Structural and chemical characterization. Advantages and drawbacks, costs.
a) Gel permeation chromatography (GPC)
c) Viscometry
d) Light Scattering
e) Scanning probe microscopy
f) Scanning differential calorimetry
g) Thermogravimetry
12) Biocompatibility of polymer materials: use in medical applications. Cell/polymer interfaces.
a) Polymer Materials in Medicine
b) Biocompatibility
c) Bacterial adhesion
13) Reuse of polymer materials: recycling and its limitations.
a) The production of plastics
b) Polymer materials and sustainable development. Can we find an alternative to plastics?

Lessons are supported by power point slide projections. All the concepts that need to be recalled from the previously acquired notions of the students are explained briefly by recalling the already acquired notions. Non-trivial mathematical proofs are explained by reporting all the steps necessary for a complete understanding of the methodologies used. Descriptions of experimental methods are accompanied by illustrations of data from actual experiments.
Lectures are interactive, which requires student participation.
Brief videos are used to recap important concepts.

All lecture material (PPT) and other articles or texts (pdf) will be available in Moodle

The exam consists of a presentation on a topic of choice (25%) and an oral exam (75%), lasting about forty-five minutes. The test consists of three questions intended to ascertain the knowledge of the student both on the theoretical aspects of the subject and on the notions directly related to experimental procedures. Particular attention is paid to the way in which the student exposes the acquired concepts. Generally the exam topics have the possibility of correlation in order to verify also the ability of the student to associate more topics. To achieve the maximum score (30/30 cum laude), the student must demonstrate an excellent knowledge of all the topics covered during the course.

This course explores topics closely related to one or more goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs)