Master degree in Materials Science

Sustainable Polymers and Composite

Sustainable Polymers and Composite

Academic year 2024/2025

Sommario del corso

• Course objectives
• Results of learning outcomes
• Program
• Course delivery
• Learning assessment methods
• Suggested readings and bibliography
• Notes
• Class schedule
• Teaching tools
• Course card

Course objectives

In alignment with the objectives of the Master's Degree program, this course aims to offer a comprehensive overview of polymeric materials and their sustainability, particularly emphasizing bio-based polymers and their role in the circular economy. The course will cover insights into the most effective synthetic protocols for large-scale production of sustainable polymers and composites, along with discussions on their chemical structure, properties, and applications. Additionally, the course will address key issues related to polymer management and end-of-life disposal. Understanding the primary types of sustainable polymers and composites is essential for Materials Scientists aiming to work in environmental chemistry and the polymer industry.

Results of learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

Students are expected to gain knowledge on the preparation, chemical and physical structure, properties, and applications of sustainable polymers and composites. Another learning outcome is understanding the circular economy approach as applied to the polymer field, with a particular focus on the end-of-life management of polymeric materials.

Applying knowledge and understanding

During laboratory activities, students will apply the knowledge acquired from lectures to provide comprehensive explanations of experimental outcomes in their laboratory notebooks. This includes addressing critical steps in synthesis methods that influence yields and final properties of materials.

In the exam session, students will be required to answer questions that demonstrate logical connections between various topics covered in the program.

Judgement

Students will be required to conduct independent literature searches, assessing the relevance of bibliographic information to provide explanations in their notebooks for certain experimental outcomes observed during laboratory sessions.

Learning skills

Students are expected to develop an effective learning approach that enables them to independently interpret and organize information from both class lectures and external bibliographic sources. Proficiency in learning techniques will primarily be assessed during the laboratory segment of the course.

Program

Theoretical part (6 CFU)

• Definition of sustainability, sustainable polymers, Main categories of polymers: biobased and synthetic polymers 0.5 CFU
• Plastics durability and degradation: aging mechanisms (thermal degradation, mechanical oxidation, thermal oxidation, photolysis and photo-oxidation) examples of degradation of some relevant plastics. Polymer stabilization. Evaluation of span life (accelerated ageing, oxidation index, evaluation of induction time) 1 CFU
• The Problem of plastic Pollution: End-of-life management: classification of recycling typology: primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary recycle, feedstock recycling. Overview of national and over national policies about plastic recycling (recycling of packaging, of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) of end-of-life cars (ELV) 1.5 CFU
• Natural polymers (proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, polyesters); synthetic biobased polymers (non-biodegradable bioplastics such as bio-PE, PA-11, PTT; biodegradable natural plastics such as PLA, PHA, PBS e starch blends, fossil-based biodegradable plastics such as PBAT and PCL. Examples of industrial applications. 3 CFU

Lab practice (2 CFU)

• Synthesis of polymers through different reaction mechanisms with a specific focus on sustainable, eco-friendly polymers (e.g. dextrin-based polymers)
• Preparation of composites, by dispersion of additives in a polymer matrix
• Determination of the molecular weight of polymers by viscosimetry

Course delivery

The course consists of 8 credits (CFU), equivalent to 48 hours of theoretical lectures and 32 hours of laboratory practice. Theoretical lessons will be delivered through slide presentations in the classroom, incorporating interactive teaching methods. During laboratory sessions, students will work in pairs or small groups, depending on the number of participants. Attendance is mandatory for up to 80% of the course hours.

Learning assessment methods

The exam will be a written test lasting 90 minutes, comprising five open-ended questions. The evaluation criteria are as follows: accuracy and completeness of answers: 40 %, clarity and organization of responses: 20 %, application of theoretical concepts: 20 %, critical analysis and problem-solving skills: 10 %, grammar and spelling: 10 %. Student knowledge will be evaluated on a 24-point scale. For the laboratory part, each student will be required to document the experimental procedures and outcomes in a laboratory notebook, which must be submitted to the teachers at the conclusion of the final laboratory class. The evaluation of the laboratory notebook, with a maximum score of 7, will also contribute to the final grade.

The final grade will be determined by combining the scores from the written test and laboratory notebook assessments. A final score of 30.5 or higher will be awarded a cum laude distinction.

Examples of exam questions will be provided during the lectures and uploaded, along with the teacher's notes, on the Moodle platform. Students with special needs and disabilities are encouraged to contact the teachers to request support through compensatory instruments and/or dispensatory measures.

Notes provided by the teachers and available on the Moodle platform.

For the laboratory part, notes provided by the teachers at the beginning of the laboratory classes.

Notes

The students with special needs and disabilities may find information on the following website: https://en.unito.it/services/students-special-needs/students-specific-learning-disorders-sld and in particular https://en.unito.it/services/students-special-needs/students-specific-learning-disorders-sld/support-students-sld-taki

Class schedule

• Teaching material
• Exams and finals
• Class schedule
• Go to Moodle
• Register for the course
• Enrolled students
• Invia email agli studenti registrati
• Export table