Naturally Occuring Polymeric Materials

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Course teacher

Associate teachers

Status of the course

Course objectives

Gaining of basic theoretical and practical knowledge on origin and properties of naturally occurring polymers and their application.

Course enrolment requirements and entry competences required for the course

Learning outcomes expected at the level of the course (4 to 10 learning outcomes)

- listing of naturally occurring polymers and their resources
- able to explain the structure and properties of naturally occurirng polymers
- be acquainted with application fields of naturally occurring polymers
- distinguish naturally occurring polymers according burning characteristics

Course content broken down in detail by weekly class schedule (syllabus)

1st week: An overview of basic terms in polymers and polymeric materials. Basic characteristic of macromolecules.
2nd week: Definition of naturally occurring polymers in narrow and broad sense. PLA and PHB: synthesis and properties. Molecular and supermolecular structure of polymers.
3rd week: Starch: structure and properties. Modification and application of starch.
4th week: Structure and properties of cellulose. Microcrystalline cellulose. Natural cellulose fibres. Mercerization and crosslinking of cotton fibres.
5th week: Regenerated cellulose. Cellulose derivates. Alginic acid and alginates. Structure and application of alginates. Ion exchange.
6th week: Other polysaccharides. Structure, properties and application of lignin.
7th week: Ponavljanje. First test.
8th week: Amino acides in proteins. Primary, secondary and tertiary structure of proteins.
9th week: Protein fibres. Structure and properties of silk fibre. Structure and properties of wool.
10th week: Structure and properties of collagen. Collagen based materials.
11th week: Casein: structure, phase separation, application. An overview of natural fibres properties.
12th week: Natural caoutchouc. Derivates of natural caoutchouc. Mastication and vulcanization.
13th week: Shaping of caoutchouc and production of rubbery products (tires etc.) Reuse and recycling of rubber. Regeneration of caoutchouc
14th week: Plastic and rubbery waste management system. Natural resins.
15th week: Ponavljanje. Second test.
Laboratory exercises:
1. Preparation of thermoplastic starch
2. Regeneration of cellulose. Identification of natural fibres by burning tests.
3. Immobilization of bakers yeast on alginate
4. Gelatine swelling
5. Isolation of casein and preparation of casein glue

Format of instruction:

Student responsibilities