Learning objectives
Knowledge and understanding: the main goal is to provide to the student the tools for the comprehension and the discussion of bulk materials, hybrid materials and nanomaterials using the concepts acquired in organic chemistry; particular attention will be paid to modern organic reactions allowing to tailor material properties.
Learning skills: students will acquire the specific language of the material chemistry field and will achieve the ability to correlate the various aspects of materials, from basic chemical properties to technological applications.
Prerequisites
Knowledge of the concepts developed in the Organic Chemistry 1, Organic Chemistry 2 and in the Chemistry and technology of polymeric material courses
Course unit content
In the first part of the course, the general reactions of organic materials will be discussed, together with the stability to these and methods to avoid them. In particular general concepts that govern radical reactions, and processes of pyrolysis, oxidation, combustion, phtochemical reactions and radiation effects will be presented. Then examples of polar reactions performed on materials will be discussed, in particular stressing the effect of acid and bases.
The properties of organic materials relevant for applications, and their connection with the molecular structure and with intermolecular non-covalent interactions will be then illustrated.
In the second part of the course, the structure and chemical properties of principal classes of organic materials of industrial interest will be described, from ‘classical’ materials (wood, paper, fabrics, polymers) to more specialized ones such as hybrid organic-inorganic materials, nanomaterials and biomaterials, with examples of applications. Finally, strategies for tailored modification of bulk materials, interfaces, and organic nanomaterials will be discussed.
Full programme
A-Reactivity (2 CFU)
Kinetics in organic reactions and in organic material chemistry. Degradation of organic materials by chemical treatments and methods for avoiding it. Spontaneous and controlled radical reactions: principles and applications to material chemistry. Pyrolysis and related processes. Matrial analysis through pyrolysis. Oxidation, autooxidation and photooxidation of organic materials. Combustion and resistant materials. Organic Photochemistry. Photodegradation and Photostability. Effect of ionizing radiations. Polar reactions on organic materials: exemples of applications. Ractions under acidic and basic conditions: effects on various material classes. Extreme acidity and extreme basicity: definitions and scales.
B-Structure (1 CFU)
B-Properties (1 CFU) Optical and Electronic Properties. Intermolecular interactions and properties of rigidity, elasticity, adhesiveness, plasticity, crystallinity and amorphous states. Stereochemical properties of materials. Helicity. Solubility: descriptors and solvent theories. Swelling and gel formation. Biodegradation. Sel-repair.
C-Structure (1 CFU) Main classes of organic materials of technological or industrial interest. Common organic materials: wood, paper, textiles. Recall of polymers structure, and focus on some polymers for high-tech applications. Materials that form gels. Organic coatings. Materials Organic-inorganic hybrids. Biomaterials. Biointerfasi. Organic Nanomaterials. Carbon-based nanomaterials: fullerenes, nanotubes, nanographene, nanodiamonds. Examples of functional materials for advanced applications.
D-Tailored modification. (2 CFU)
Transformation of bulk material (e.g. biomineralization, carbon fibers). Surface chemistry and surface treatments. Surface derivatization. Bioconjugation and bio-ortogonal chemistry. Organic reactions on carbon nanomaterials.
Bibliography
Teacher's handouts.
Sources for in-depth study
F.A. Carey e R.J. Sundberg Advanced Organic Chemistry 5th Edition, Springer, 2007
J. March Advanced Organic Chemistry Reactions, Mechanisms, and Structure, 7th Edition, John Wiley & Sons, 2013
B. Fahlman Materials Chemistry-second edition Springer, 2011
Molecular Materials: Preparation, Characterization, and Applications, Sanjay Malhotra, B. L. V. Prasad, Jordi Fraxedas CRC press.
Functional Organic Materials: Syntheses, Strategies and Applications, Thomas J. J. Müller, Uwe H. F. Bunz, John Wiley & Sons, 2007
Teaching methods
Oral lectures and case studies discussed after autonomous study of students on a topics of their choice. We intend to use in this advanced course an interactive approach in which the student, starting from real problems, acquire, from the discussion of these, the ability to connect them to the basic knowledge of Chemistry and in particular of Organic Chemistry.
This course offers the “Book exam” option. The lectures are held in Italian, but Erasmus/foreign students can complete the course by choosing the “book exam” option: this means that you read and study the literature specifically agreed on with the lecturer/professor and then take a written examination in English.
Assessment methods and criteria
At the end of the course sessions with presentations by the students will be organized, which will be part of the evaluation process. Starting from this, the exam will consist of a written and an oral test.
The knowledge required to pass the exam are:
Capacity
Demonstration of knowledge and understanding, supported by basic knowledge of Organic Chemistry, in applying these concepts to Materials Chemistry with professional attitude and originality. Ability to apply knowledge of Organic Chemistry of Materials in a broader and multidisciplinary context, understanding the links with other subject of the Chemistry Master Degree; maturity and knowledge necessary to undertake further studies with a self-directed degree of autonomy
Skills
Demonstration of knowledge of the structure and reactivity of bulk organic materials, hybrid materials and organic nanomaterials and their applications. Knowledge of relationships between structure and properties of organic materials.
Knowledge of main transformations and reactivity of organic materials and of synthetic methods for their tailored modification. Capacity to study a specific topic and to connect this to general knowledge
The written exam consists of 3 questions, under the form of case-studies. It is passed if 2/3 questions are answered correctly or, alternatively, if at least 60% of the total content expressed is correct and comprehensive.
The oral examination consists of the discussion of the written exam with a deepening of the theoretical part, in particular aspects not included in the written exam.
Other information
Teacher's handouts and other bibliographic materials will be available in various formats in the web site.
This course offers the “Book exam” option. The lectures are held in Italian, but Erasmus/foreign students can complete the course by choosing the “book exam” option: this means that you read and study the literature specifically agreed on with the lecturer/professor and then take a written examination in English.
