Polymer Science and Technology

The scientific activity of the PST group ranges from the design, synthesis and functionalization, the experimental evaluation and modeling of structural and functional properties to optimize the engineering applications of complex macromolecular materials.
In particular, the research areas of interest range from the synthesis and functionalization of polymers and hybrid polymer matrix to the chemical-physical properties, mechanical and transport (mass, momentum, energy) of macromolecular materials and to the thermodynamics of polymeric systems. The polymer-based materials research activities are within the bio-thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers (of synthetic and natural origin), nanocomposites (polymers with carbon nanotubes, graphene, metalorganic, layered silicates), polymeric blends, high-performance thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers, membranes for separation, polyelectrolyte membranes, liquid-crystalline elastomers.

In these areas, the major research areas, of a fundamental and applied nature, consist of: 1) Rheology of complex polymer systems (nanocomposites, polymer blends, suspensions and emulsions); 2) Thermodynamics and physical properties of mixtures of polymer and low molecular weight substances; 3) Synthesis and functionalization of hyper-branched polymers and thermosets; 4) Molecular design of nanostructured polymeric materials; 5) barrier properties of polymer systems and nanocomposites; 6) Analysis with vibrational spectroscopy of molecular interactions in macromolecular systems; 7) Modeling of interfacial tension of polymer/gas systems at high-pressure; 8) Optimization of processing technology of polymeric materials; 9) Foaming of polymers and hybrids; 10) polyelectrolyte membranes for applications in the field of fuel cells; 11) Systems macromolecular superabsorbents; 12) Polymers shape memory; 13) Optimization of biodegradable polymers for engineering applications, 14) Durability of polymer-based materials.


The main industries of relapse of the activities of the group include the automotive, aerospace, energy, food packaging, biomedical, of the construction industry.

List of the Research Focus Areas

  1. Physical Properties of Polymer/Blowing Agent Mixtures
  2. Foams and Foaming Processes
  3. Polymeric Nanocomposites
  4. Organic-Inorganic Hybrids
  5. Natural polymers, Biopolymers and Bioplastics
  6. Nanocomposite Polymer Blends
  7. Materials Engineering
  8. Chemical Functionalization of Polymers
  9. Polymer Synthesis
  10. Molecular design and Synthesis of Polymeric Nanostructures
  11. Gas and Vapor Sorption and Mass Transport in Polymers
  12. Interfacial Properties of Polymer/Gas Solutions
  13. Barrier Properties of Polymers for Packaging
  14. Super-absorbing Polymers
  15. Polyelectrolytes Membranes for Fuel Cells
  16. Durability of Polymer-based Systems
  17. Transport Phenomena in Polymer Processing
  18. Biodegradable polymers
  19. Polymer blends
  20. Multiphase materials
  21. Vibrational Spectroscopy of Polymer-Low Molecular Weight Compound Mixtures

Partecipants