Polymeric ingredients
A.A. 2025/2026
Obiettivi formativi
The aim of the course is to provide the students the basics of polymer chemistry, defining the parameters required to correctly describe and identify polymers, such as their chemistry, molecular weights, existence of copolymer and polymeric blends. Insights on biopolymers, bioplastics and on the issues related to polymer production and disposal will be provided and also the characterization of polymers and polymeric materials will be discussed in terms of chemical/physical properties and on rheological behavior.
Risultati apprendimento attesi
At the end of the teaching the students should
- recognize the different classes of polymers, correlating their chemical parameters with their possible behaviour;
- have a knowledge about the existence of different kinds of copolymers and blends;
- be able to recognize which polymers and polymeric materials should have the lowest environmental impact;
- know some important trademarks related to polymers used in cosmetics, correlating them with the chemistry of the polymers and their properties;
- have a knowledge of the main analytical techniques used in the field of polymers and polymeric materials.
Through the laboratory experiences students should be able to develop some practical skills related to the understanding and prediction of the rheological behaviour of polymers and formulations containing polymers.
- recognize the different classes of polymers, correlating their chemical parameters with their possible behaviour;
- have a knowledge about the existence of different kinds of copolymers and blends;
- be able to recognize which polymers and polymeric materials should have the lowest environmental impact;
- know some important trademarks related to polymers used in cosmetics, correlating them with the chemistry of the polymers and their properties;
- have a knowledge of the main analytical techniques used in the field of polymers and polymeric materials.
Through the laboratory experiences students should be able to develop some practical skills related to the understanding and prediction of the rheological behaviour of polymers and formulations containing polymers.
Periodo: Primo semestre
Modalità di valutazione: Esame
Giudizio di valutazione: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Corso singolo
Questo insegnamento non può essere seguito come corso singolo. Puoi trovare gli insegnamenti disponibili consultando il catalogo corsi singoli.
Programma e organizzazione didattica
Edizione unica
Responsabile
Periodo
Primo semestre
Programma
Frontal Teaching (5 CFU):
Definition of "polymer" with a basic focus on the differences between polymers, macromolecules and low molecular weight molecules in terms of appearance, generic properties and potential applications.
Main chemical families of polymers (ex. Polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides etc) and correlation between the chemical family and possible chemical structures of polymers belonging to the different families.
Definition of Blends: distinction between homogeneous and heterogeneous blends, role of compatibilizers and application of blends in real-case scenarios in the field of polymers and polymeric materials.
Crystallinity and thermal properties of polymers: amorphous vs. semi-crystalline polymers
Copolymers: definition of copolymers and of the different kinds of copolymers (ex. Random, block etc.). Reactivity ratios between monomers and rules related to the prediction of the structure of the copolymers obtained according to the monomers and the feed of the reaction.
Molecular weights, correlated metrics and their definition. Practical examples of the influence of these parameters on chemical/physical properties of polymers.
Basics of polymer synthesis and on the main industrial technologies used to synthesise polymers: correlation between chemical structure and expected chemical-physical features of polymers.
Biopolymers and bioplastics: definition of biopolymers and bioplastics, industrial state-of-the art, issues related to bioplastics
Biodegradable/compostable polymers and low environmentally impact polymers - Basics of REACH regulation and expected future rules on polymers.
Microplastics: definition, occurrence, rules and state-of-the-art
Polymeric materials: definition of polymeric material, additives for polymers with basics of packaging
Main industrial Trademarks of polymers used for cosmetics and correlated chemical structures, if known (ex. Cationic polymers, SAP, amphiphilic, hydrosoluble polymers)
Basics on silicones and rubbers
Polymers and polymeric materials characterization: thermal, molecular, structural characterization
Basics of rheology: solid and fluids, viscoelastic materials, influence of shear on viscosity, oscillatory measurements, modululs etc
Laboratory of rheology (1 CFU): experiences on the difference between Brookfield viscosity and rheologic curves, preparation of formulations and influence of ingredients on the rheological properties of the final product.
Definition of "polymer" with a basic focus on the differences between polymers, macromolecules and low molecular weight molecules in terms of appearance, generic properties and potential applications.
Main chemical families of polymers (ex. Polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides etc) and correlation between the chemical family and possible chemical structures of polymers belonging to the different families.
Definition of Blends: distinction between homogeneous and heterogeneous blends, role of compatibilizers and application of blends in real-case scenarios in the field of polymers and polymeric materials.
Crystallinity and thermal properties of polymers: amorphous vs. semi-crystalline polymers
Copolymers: definition of copolymers and of the different kinds of copolymers (ex. Random, block etc.). Reactivity ratios between monomers and rules related to the prediction of the structure of the copolymers obtained according to the monomers and the feed of the reaction.
Molecular weights, correlated metrics and their definition. Practical examples of the influence of these parameters on chemical/physical properties of polymers.
Basics of polymer synthesis and on the main industrial technologies used to synthesise polymers: correlation between chemical structure and expected chemical-physical features of polymers.
Biopolymers and bioplastics: definition of biopolymers and bioplastics, industrial state-of-the art, issues related to bioplastics
Biodegradable/compostable polymers and low environmentally impact polymers - Basics of REACH regulation and expected future rules on polymers.
Microplastics: definition, occurrence, rules and state-of-the-art
Polymeric materials: definition of polymeric material, additives for polymers with basics of packaging
Main industrial Trademarks of polymers used for cosmetics and correlated chemical structures, if known (ex. Cationic polymers, SAP, amphiphilic, hydrosoluble polymers)
Basics on silicones and rubbers
Polymers and polymeric materials characterization: thermal, molecular, structural characterization
Basics of rheology: solid and fluids, viscoelastic materials, influence of shear on viscosity, oscillatory measurements, modululs etc
Laboratory of rheology (1 CFU): experiences on the difference between Brookfield viscosity and rheologic curves, preparation of formulations and influence of ingredients on the rheological properties of the final product.
Prerequisiti
No formal pre-requisite. Knowledge of basics of organic chemistry is useful as well as notions about polymer chemistry can help
Metodi didattici
Online lessons - both synchronous and asynchronous - at the beginning of the Course and then frontal lessons
Modalità di verifica dell’apprendimento e criteri di valutazione
Written exam: open questions and multiple choice questions.
For the Teaching lab: lab reports will be required after the end of the teaching lab
In special cases, also an oral examination could be possible
For the Teaching lab: lab reports will be required after the end of the teaching lab
In special cases, also an oral examination could be possible
CHIM/04 - CHIMICA INDUSTRIALE - CFU: 6
Esercitazioni di laboratorio a posto singolo: 16 ore
Lezioni: 40 ore
Lezioni: 40 ore
Docente:
Ortenzi Marco Aldo
Docente/i
Ricevimento:
Tutti i giorni - meglio previo appuntamento
Edificio 5, Corpo B, 3° piano, stanza 3050