Synthetic and Biobased Polymers
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is the introduction to the basic knowledge of the science of polymers, be they of petrochemical origin or deriving from natural sources, preparatory to the study of advanced courses in this sector. The course was divided into three sections, each with specific sub-objectives.
In the first section, dedicated to the introduction to polymer science, the student will learn the definitions and basic notions relating to polymer science.
In the second section, dedicated to synthetic polymers, the student will learn the classical polymerization mechanisms which include the mechanism of step polymerization and polymerizations with radical, ionic and coordinated chain mechanisms.
In the third section, dedicated to polymers from natural sources, the student will learn the definitions and classifications relating to biopolymers and bioplastics. The main families of biopolymers, their functions in nature and their role in human technological development will be discussed. The student will learn the influence of the structural parameters of biopolymers on their properties, degradation mechanisms and related degradation products.
He will also learn the chemical modification strategies of biopolymers for the production of bioplastics, biomass fermentation processes and polymerization of monomers deriving from renewable sources; their applications, their methods of chemical, physical and biological degradation.
In the first section, dedicated to the introduction to polymer science, the student will learn the definitions and basic notions relating to polymer science.
In the second section, dedicated to synthetic polymers, the student will learn the classical polymerization mechanisms which include the mechanism of step polymerization and polymerizations with radical, ionic and coordinated chain mechanisms.
In the third section, dedicated to polymers from natural sources, the student will learn the definitions and classifications relating to biopolymers and bioplastics. The main families of biopolymers, their functions in nature and their role in human technological development will be discussed. The student will learn the influence of the structural parameters of biopolymers on their properties, degradation mechanisms and related degradation products.
He will also learn the chemical modification strategies of biopolymers for the production of bioplastics, biomass fermentation processes and polymerization of monomers deriving from renewable sources; their applications, their methods of chemical, physical and biological degradation.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Define the basic concepts preparatory to the study of polymer science, including the concept of molecular mass distribution and its determination, and the characteristics of the amorphous and crystalline solid state of polymers.
2. Describe the classical mechanisms used for the synthesis of polymers, such as step-growth polymerization, radical, ionic and coordinated chain-growth polymerizations and predict the behavior of the average degree of polymerization as a function of conversion in the various polymerization processes.
3. Classify biopolymers and predict their properties and applicability based on their chemical structure.
4. Classify bioplastics and their main application sectors.
5. Describe the main production methods of bioplastics, whether derived from fossil or renewable sources, biodegradable or non-biodegradable.
6. Describe the properties of the main bioplastics from a commercial point of view and compare them with the "classic" alternatives derived from petroleum.
7. Define the concept of "structure-activity" relationship and learn to predict the trend of the properties of polymeric materials in relation to their structural characteristics.
8. Describe the chemical, physical and biological degradation methods of biopolymers and bioplastics.
1. Define the basic concepts preparatory to the study of polymer science, including the concept of molecular mass distribution and its determination, and the characteristics of the amorphous and crystalline solid state of polymers.
2. Describe the classical mechanisms used for the synthesis of polymers, such as step-growth polymerization, radical, ionic and coordinated chain-growth polymerizations and predict the behavior of the average degree of polymerization as a function of conversion in the various polymerization processes.
3. Classify biopolymers and predict their properties and applicability based on their chemical structure.
4. Classify bioplastics and their main application sectors.
5. Describe the main production methods of bioplastics, whether derived from fossil or renewable sources, biodegradable or non-biodegradable.
6. Describe the properties of the main bioplastics from a commercial point of view and compare them with the "classic" alternatives derived from petroleum.
7. Define the concept of "structure-activity" relationship and learn to predict the trend of the properties of polymeric materials in relation to their structural characteristics.
8. Describe the chemical, physical and biological degradation methods of biopolymers and bioplastics.
Lesson period: Second 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
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course is divided into four sections.
1. Introduction to polymer science
1.1 Definitions and general concepts
Definitions of polymer, monomer, macromolecule, repeating unit, homopolymer, copolymer. Plastics and their relevance. Definition of natural, synthetic and artificial polymer. Classification of polymers based on their chemical structure. Definition of copolymer and classification. Regioisomerism, geometric isomerism, configurations and conformations of polymers. Molecular weights of polymers.
1.2. Solid state of polymers
Introduction to the amorphous and crystalline state of polymers. Definition of glass transition temperature and free volume. Definition of melting temperature, crystallinity and specificity of the polymer crystalline state.
2. Synthesis of polymers
2.1 Introduction to polymerization reactions
Step-wise vs. chain growth polymerization. Chemical aspects of polymerization reactions, compared with reactions for the synthesis of discrete molecules common to fine organic chemistry.
2.2 Step-wise vs. chain growth polymerization mechanisms
Classification of monomers. Main classes of synthesizable polymers. Fundamental equation of step-wise polymerization: dependence of the average degree of polymerization on compositional ratio and conversion. Independence of the degree of polymerization on the conversion in chain growth polymerization. Polymerizations with radical and ionic mechanisms.
3 Polymers from natural sources
3.1 Biopolymers
Definition of biopolymers and classification: polysaccharides, polypeptides and polynucleotides, complex polyphenols and natural gums. Physico-chemical properties of biopolymers in relation to their structure. The role of biopolymers in nature. The role of biopolymers in human technological development. Main application areas of biopolymers and their derivatives.
Chemical modification of natural polymers. Chemical modifications of polysaccharides for specific technological applications.
3.2 Polysaccharides
Main classes of polysaccharides of natural origin with particular attention to their biological functions. Cellulose and its derivatives. Cellulose nanocrystals and nanofibrils. Applications in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical sectors. Chitin and chitosan, chemical modifications. Applications in the food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, agricultural sectors, and for biodegradable packaging. Starch, thermoplastic starch. Applications in the agricultural sector, and for biodegradable packaging. Alginates. Applications in the cosmetic sector.
3.3 Natural rubbers
Examples of natural rubbers (Arabic, guar and tragacanth gums), extraction, physico-chemical properties and applications. Comparison of the properties of natural and synthetic rubbers.
3.4 Polypeptides and polynucleotides
Biological origin of polypeptides and their function. Comparison with polyamides in terms of synthesis and properties. Biological origin of polynucleotides and their function. Comparison of polypeptides and polynucleotides with synthetic polymers synthesized with precise control of monomer sequences for information storage.
3.5 Complex polyphenols
Examples of complex polyphenols: tannins, lignin and flavonoids. Lignin: origin, physico-chemical properties, and biological function. Application of lignin in advanced materials (biodegradable packaging), agriculture (controlled release fertilizers, carriers for pesticides or herbicides or soil improvers), as a source for the recovery of building blocks with different purposes (synthesis of surfactants or natural antioxidants).
4 Bioplastics
4.1 Bioplastics
Definition of bioplastic. Bioplastics from renewable sources and biodegradable: examples, synthesis, properties and applications. Bioplastics from fossil sources and biodegradable: examples, synthesis, properties and applications. Bioplastics from renewable sources and non-biodegradable: examples, synthesis, properties and applications.
4.2 Bioplastics vs. traditional plastics
Comparison between the properties of bioplastics and those from fossil sources. Structure-property correlation. Aspects related to stereochemistry, influence of stereoregularity on the properties of the polymer. Advantages and disadvantages of bioplastics compared to traditional plastics in the various sectors of use.
4.3 Degradation and biodegradation of bioplastics
Chemical, enzymatic and microbial, thermal, photooxidative degradation of bioplastics in the environment.
Depolymerization of polysaccharides: chemical and kinetic aspects.
4.4 Synthetic and natural origin hydrogels
Definition of hydrogel; physico-chemical properties of hydrogels. Synthesis of hydrogels. Hydrogels of natural origin. Applications of hydrogels in different sectors.
1. Introduction to polymer science
1.1 Definitions and general concepts
Definitions of polymer, monomer, macromolecule, repeating unit, homopolymer, copolymer. Plastics and their relevance. Definition of natural, synthetic and artificial polymer. Classification of polymers based on their chemical structure. Definition of copolymer and classification. Regioisomerism, geometric isomerism, configurations and conformations of polymers. Molecular weights of polymers.
1.2. Solid state of polymers
Introduction to the amorphous and crystalline state of polymers. Definition of glass transition temperature and free volume. Definition of melting temperature, crystallinity and specificity of the polymer crystalline state.
2. Synthesis of polymers
2.1 Introduction to polymerization reactions
Step-wise vs. chain growth polymerization. Chemical aspects of polymerization reactions, compared with reactions for the synthesis of discrete molecules common to fine organic chemistry.
2.2 Step-wise vs. chain growth polymerization mechanisms
Classification of monomers. Main classes of synthesizable polymers. Fundamental equation of step-wise polymerization: dependence of the average degree of polymerization on compositional ratio and conversion. Independence of the degree of polymerization on the conversion in chain growth polymerization. Polymerizations with radical and ionic mechanisms.
3 Polymers from natural sources
3.1 Biopolymers
Definition of biopolymers and classification: polysaccharides, polypeptides and polynucleotides, complex polyphenols and natural gums. Physico-chemical properties of biopolymers in relation to their structure. The role of biopolymers in nature. The role of biopolymers in human technological development. Main application areas of biopolymers and their derivatives.
Chemical modification of natural polymers. Chemical modifications of polysaccharides for specific technological applications.
3.2 Polysaccharides
Main classes of polysaccharides of natural origin with particular attention to their biological functions. Cellulose and its derivatives. Cellulose nanocrystals and nanofibrils. Applications in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical sectors. Chitin and chitosan, chemical modifications. Applications in the food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, agricultural sectors, and for biodegradable packaging. Starch, thermoplastic starch. Applications in the agricultural sector, and for biodegradable packaging. Alginates. Applications in the cosmetic sector.
3.3 Natural rubbers
Examples of natural rubbers (Arabic, guar and tragacanth gums), extraction, physico-chemical properties and applications. Comparison of the properties of natural and synthetic rubbers.
3.4 Polypeptides and polynucleotides
Biological origin of polypeptides and their function. Comparison with polyamides in terms of synthesis and properties. Biological origin of polynucleotides and their function. Comparison of polypeptides and polynucleotides with synthetic polymers synthesized with precise control of monomer sequences for information storage.
3.5 Complex polyphenols
Examples of complex polyphenols: tannins, lignin and flavonoids. Lignin: origin, physico-chemical properties, and biological function. Application of lignin in advanced materials (biodegradable packaging), agriculture (controlled release fertilizers, carriers for pesticides or herbicides or soil improvers), as a source for the recovery of building blocks with different purposes (synthesis of surfactants or natural antioxidants).
4 Bioplastics
4.1 Bioplastics
Definition of bioplastic. Bioplastics from renewable sources and biodegradable: examples, synthesis, properties and applications. Bioplastics from fossil sources and biodegradable: examples, synthesis, properties and applications. Bioplastics from renewable sources and non-biodegradable: examples, synthesis, properties and applications.
4.2 Bioplastics vs. traditional plastics
Comparison between the properties of bioplastics and those from fossil sources. Structure-property correlation. Aspects related to stereochemistry, influence of stereoregularity on the properties of the polymer. Advantages and disadvantages of bioplastics compared to traditional plastics in the various sectors of use.
4.3 Degradation and biodegradation of bioplastics
Chemical, enzymatic and microbial, thermal, photooxidative degradation of bioplastics in the environment.
Depolymerization of polysaccharides: chemical and kinetic aspects.
4.4 Synthetic and natural origin hydrogels
Definition of hydrogel; physico-chemical properties of hydrogels. Synthesis of hydrogels. Hydrogels of natural origin. Applications of hydrogels in different sectors.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of organic chemistry, included in the Organic Chemistry I course of the same degree program. Basic knowledge of the reactivity of common functional groups of basic organic chemistry. Basic knowledge of analytical techniques for the study of organic molecules.
Teaching methods
Frontal teaching with the help of slides. Students are actively involved during the instruction and the independent processing of the learning material.
Teaching Resources
Instructor notes and reference literature available on the course website.
"Fundamental Polymer Science", Second Edition
Ulf W. Gedde, Mikael S. Hedenqvist, Springer.
"Chemistry and Physics of Modern Materials", Third Edition
J.M.G. Cowie, Valeria Arrighi, CRC Press.
"From Polymers to Plastics"
A.K. van der Vegt, DUP Blue Print
"Natural Polymers: Volume 1 - Composites and Volume 2 - Nanocomposites and Biodegradation"
M. N. V. Ravi Kumar, Woodhead Publishing
"Fundamental Polymer Science", Second Edition
Ulf W. Gedde, Mikael S. Hedenqvist, Springer.
"Chemistry and Physics of Modern Materials", Third Edition
J.M.G. Cowie, Valeria Arrighi, CRC Press.
"From Polymers to Plastics"
A.K. van der Vegt, DUP Blue Print
"Natural Polymers: Volume 1 - Composites and Volume 2 - Nanocomposites and Biodegradation"
M. N. V. Ravi Kumar, Woodhead Publishing
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam will consist of a written test in which students are asked to answer open questions concerning the entire program of the course. The aim is to verify the acquired knowledge and understanding of the concepts discussed. The score will vary from 18 to 30 proportionally to the correctness of the answers.
CHIM/04 - INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor:
Gazzotti Stefano
Professor(s)