Chemistry of Materials
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
Knowledge of the basic principles of natural and synthetic polymers used in Cultural Heritage.
Expected learning outcomes
The student should be able to:
- read papers reporting data about synthesis and thermo-mechanical characterization of polymeric materials used in cultural heritage
- correlate structure and efficiency of used materials
- be the ideal interface between the chemists/producers of polymers and the end users in cultural heritage area.
- read papers reporting data about synthesis and thermo-mechanical characterization of polymeric materials used in cultural heritage
- correlate structure and efficiency of used materials
- be the ideal interface between the chemists/producers of polymers and the end users in cultural heritage area.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The aim of the course is to provide the Student with an adequate knowledge of the fundamental concepts of the chemistry of materials applied to the conservation of Cultural Heritage, with particular emphasis on the chemistry of both natural and synthetic polymers used in the artistic field both as bulk materials and protective coatings.
The chemistry at the basis of cellulosic materials (paper and fabrics), pictorial (binders and paints, pigments and dyes), and stone (consolidating and protective) will be illustrated as well as ample space will be given to the chemistry of the materials used for audio-visual systems both optical analog (photographic film, CD, DVD and Blu-ray disc) and magnetic analog (audio-video tapes) systems. In addition, the degradation phenomena affecting a polymer is service in the field of Cultural Heritage, the related reaction mechanisms in different scenarios (light, humidity, temperature, air pollution, microorganisms), and the influence of these phenomena on chemico-physical properties of that polymer will be explained.
A part of the course will focus on the solutions necessary to stabilize the polymers to the degradation phenomena, including the possibility of using new nanostructured polymeric materials.
The final topic of the course will be focused on the "Plastic in art and for art": in particular, the importance of synthetic polymers as innovative artistic materials selected by 20th century creatives will be illustrated.
The course will be organized in 5 macro-topics:
1. POLIMERS
· Introduction and definitions of polymers; structure and morphology of polymers; chemical, rheological, thermal and physical-mechanical properties.
· Natural and synthetic polymers as materials for Cultural Heritage: case studies (cellulose polyesters).
2. POLYMER DEGRADATION
· Introduction on the mechanisms of thermal, photochemical and oxidative degradation and flame resistance of polymeric materials.
· Brief description of the spectroscopic techniques used for diagnosing the level of conservation and prevention of the bulk material or coating.
3. POLYMERS AS PROTECTIVE COATINGS FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE
· Paints, consolidating and protective agents, and adhesives.
· Consolidating and protective agents for stone materials: acrylic polymers, fluorinated polymers, polyesters, silicone polymers and epoxy polymers.
· Protective agents for pictorial materials.
· Polymers of interest for the preservation of audio-visual systems both analog optical and magnetic.
4. The NANOTECHNOLOGY in the CONSERVATION of CULTURAL HERITAGE
· Introduction and definition of nanostructured polymeric materials.
· Advantages in the use of nanostructured materials in comparison with the traditional solvent-based approach.
· Application of nanostructured polymeric materials as protective coatings for Cultural Heritage.
5. "PLASTIC IN ART AND FOR ART"
· Plastic in art: the role of plastic in the art of our era.
· The conservation and protection of plastic.
The chemistry at the basis of cellulosic materials (paper and fabrics), pictorial (binders and paints, pigments and dyes), and stone (consolidating and protective) will be illustrated as well as ample space will be given to the chemistry of the materials used for audio-visual systems both optical analog (photographic film, CD, DVD and Blu-ray disc) and magnetic analog (audio-video tapes) systems. In addition, the degradation phenomena affecting a polymer is service in the field of Cultural Heritage, the related reaction mechanisms in different scenarios (light, humidity, temperature, air pollution, microorganisms), and the influence of these phenomena on chemico-physical properties of that polymer will be explained.
A part of the course will focus on the solutions necessary to stabilize the polymers to the degradation phenomena, including the possibility of using new nanostructured polymeric materials.
The final topic of the course will be focused on the "Plastic in art and for art": in particular, the importance of synthetic polymers as innovative artistic materials selected by 20th century creatives will be illustrated.
The course will be organized in 5 macro-topics:
1. POLIMERS
· Introduction and definitions of polymers; structure and morphology of polymers; chemical, rheological, thermal and physical-mechanical properties.
· Natural and synthetic polymers as materials for Cultural Heritage: case studies (cellulose polyesters).
2. POLYMER DEGRADATION
· Introduction on the mechanisms of thermal, photochemical and oxidative degradation and flame resistance of polymeric materials.
· Brief description of the spectroscopic techniques used for diagnosing the level of conservation and prevention of the bulk material or coating.
3. POLYMERS AS PROTECTIVE COATINGS FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE
· Paints, consolidating and protective agents, and adhesives.
· Consolidating and protective agents for stone materials: acrylic polymers, fluorinated polymers, polyesters, silicone polymers and epoxy polymers.
· Protective agents for pictorial materials.
· Polymers of interest for the preservation of audio-visual systems both analog optical and magnetic.
4. The NANOTECHNOLOGY in the CONSERVATION of CULTURAL HERITAGE
· Introduction and definition of nanostructured polymeric materials.
· Advantages in the use of nanostructured materials in comparison with the traditional solvent-based approach.
· Application of nanostructured polymeric materials as protective coatings for Cultural Heritage.
5. "PLASTIC IN ART AND FOR ART"
· Plastic in art: the role of plastic in the art of our era.
· The conservation and protection of plastic.
Prerequisites for admission
A fundamental prerequisite to follow the course of Materials Chemistry is to have knowledge of Organic Chemistry. Therefore, it is recommended to take the Materials Chemistry course in the third year, after having followed the "Organic Chemistry" course.
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons with the aid of slides and audio-visual systems.
Teaching Resources
· Course slides accompanied by videos dedicated to some course topics.
· Scientific articles and reviews relevant to the individual topics covered during the course.
· "Advanced Materials for the Conservation of Stone", by Majid Hosseini and Ioannis Karapanagiotis, Springer, 2018.
· "Nanotechnologies in the Conservation of Cultural Heritage, A compendium of materials and techniques", by Piero Baglioni and David Chelazzi, Rodorigo Giorgi, Springer, 2015.
· "Handbook of Polymers in Stone Conservation", by Elisabetta Princi, Smithers Rapra, 2014.
· "Nanoscience for the Conservation of Works of Art", by Piero Baglioni and David Chelazzi, RSC Publishing, 2013.
· "Materials for Conservation. Organic consolidants, adhesives and coatings", 2nd Edition, by Velson Horie, Elsevier, 2010.
· "Conservation of Plastics: Materials Science, Degradation and Preservation", 1st Edition, by Yvonne Shashoua, Elsevier, 2008.
· Scientific articles and reviews relevant to the individual topics covered during the course.
· "Advanced Materials for the Conservation of Stone", by Majid Hosseini and Ioannis Karapanagiotis, Springer, 2018.
· "Nanotechnologies in the Conservation of Cultural Heritage, A compendium of materials and techniques", by Piero Baglioni and David Chelazzi, Rodorigo Giorgi, Springer, 2015.
· "Handbook of Polymers in Stone Conservation", by Elisabetta Princi, Smithers Rapra, 2014.
· "Nanoscience for the Conservation of Works of Art", by Piero Baglioni and David Chelazzi, RSC Publishing, 2013.
· "Materials for Conservation. Organic consolidants, adhesives and coatings", 2nd Edition, by Velson Horie, Elsevier, 2010.
· "Conservation of Plastics: Materials Science, Degradation and Preservation", 1st Edition, by Yvonne Shashoua, Elsevier, 2008.
Assessment methods and Criteria
At the end of the course, the Student will acquire:
- an adequate knowledge of the chemistry of both natural and synthetic polymers used in the artistic field both as bulk materials, namely Cultural Heritage, and protective coatings;
- an adequate knowledge and awareness to recognize the degradation phenomena that may change the chemico-physical properties of polymers and their performances both as materials and protective coatings, from which will derive the ability to select the polymeric material with more suitable properties depending on the artistic field;
- the methodological, scientific and technological skills necessary to carry out interventions, in order to evaluate the level of degradation and/or conservation of the Cultural Heritage;
- the ability to analyse the chemico-, morphological-structural characteristics and the physico-mechanical properties of the materials employed in Cultural Heritage;
- the ability to dialogue with other professional figures in the field of Cultural Heritage, becoming
the ideal interface between who synthesize and produce polymers and who restore artistic artefacts.
- an adequate knowledge of the chemistry of both natural and synthetic polymers used in the artistic field both as bulk materials, namely Cultural Heritage, and protective coatings;
- an adequate knowledge and awareness to recognize the degradation phenomena that may change the chemico-physical properties of polymers and their performances both as materials and protective coatings, from which will derive the ability to select the polymeric material with more suitable properties depending on the artistic field;
- the methodological, scientific and technological skills necessary to carry out interventions, in order to evaluate the level of degradation and/or conservation of the Cultural Heritage;
- the ability to analyse the chemico-, morphological-structural characteristics and the physico-mechanical properties of the materials employed in Cultural Heritage;
- the ability to dialogue with other professional figures in the field of Cultural Heritage, becoming
the ideal interface between who synthesize and produce polymers and who restore artistic artefacts.
CHIM/05 - SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF POLYMERIC MATERIALS
ING-IND/23 - APPLIED PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
ING-IND/23 - APPLIED PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor:
Di Silvestro Giuseppe
Shifts:
-
Professor:
Di Silvestro Giuseppe