Advanced Chemistry and Physics of Polymers

The course is intended for students who have attended fundamental courses in chemistry or industrial chemistry and who plan to acquire advanced knowledge on modern techniques of synthesis and characterization of polymers. The course is preparatory to monographic or specialized courses in polymer science and technology.

At the end of the course, the Student will be able to:
1. Define the basic concepts and terms essential for the study of polymer science.
2. Identify the classes of polymerizable monomers with the synthetic mechanisms described.
3. Describe the fundamental mechanisms used for the synthesis of complex and controlled polymer architectures, in particular using living polymerization mechanisms.
4. Understand the different characteristics of the amorphous and crystalline solid state of polymers and the influence of the transition temperatures typical of these states on the physical properties and workability of the polymers.
5. Interpret simple calorimetric traces of the DSC type, identifying melting and glass transition temperatures and physical aging phenomena.
6. Interpret simple thermogravimetric (TGA) plots to determine the thermal stability of polymers and the composition of polymer blends.
7. Interpret simple MALDI-TOF spectra for the identification of the distribution of the molecular masses of the polymers and their structural details.
8. Interpret simple SEC spectra. For the determination of the molecular weights of polymers.
9. Classify the rheological curves of polymers.
10. Know the basic definitions and constitutive equations that describe the viscoelastic behavior of polymers.