The course aims at providing a wide understanding of modern polymer industrial chemistry with the principal objective of achieving a good knowledge of the chemical fundamentals of the design, preparation and application of polymers on a large scale.
At the beginning the basic principles will be recalled of the industrial chemistry of polymers, mainly synthetic polymers but natural polymers as well. Later on, special features will be studied in more detail dealing with the molecular design, preparation and characterization of industrial polymers starting from both petrochemicals, fine chemicals and chemicals from renewable resources. Interest will be placed on the catalytic and mechanistic aspects of the synthesis and life cycle of polymers. Attention will also be devoted to analyzing the main physical-chemical properties, in view of possible uses.
The student will learn criteria for selection of more actual and profitable products and processes and will know the current problems associated with large scale, industrial production and its social-economical and environmental impact. He/she will be able to define structure-reactivity and structure-property relationships for industrial polymers, in view of their practical performance in specific application areas.