Learning objectives
Critical observation of chemical phenomena in the laboratory
Course unit content
Laboratory experiments on basic concepts and applications of inorganic chemistry:
Chemistry of the SolGel process: preparation of siliceous xerogel, preparation of hybrid organic-inorganic xerogels and their use for the purification of solutions of metals.
Preparation and stabilization of metal nanoparticles and oxides. Use of water soluble organic polymers for the separation of nanoparticles from solution.
Preparation of colored films based on metal oxides. Preparation of conducting glass based on tin oxide.
Functionalization of a surface of silver with an organic monomolecular layer.
Ferrofluids based on magnetite.
Construction of a photovoltaic DSSC cell .
Formation of electrochromic films based on iron cyanometalates.
Full programme
1) Inorganic polymers. FUndamentals of the SolGel process;
Precursors: metal alkoxydes, preparation and properties.
Hydrolysis and condensation reactions. Alcogels. Effect of the
reaction parameters on the formation of silica gels and
xerogels. Electronic and steric affects, solvent effect,
concentration, catalysts, drying methods. Gel. Xerogels and
Aerogels properties and their technological uses.
2) Inorganic-Organic Hybrid materials obtained by sol-gel
methods, Classification and description. Preparation of the
precursors, preparation characterization and properties of I-O
materials.
3) Mixed metal oxides by sol-gel methods.
4) Non-hydrolitic condensation.
5) Sensitized photovoltaic cells (Dye sensitized solar cells).
6) Metal and metal oxides nanoparticles, preparation and
properties.
Laboratory:
1) Preparation of silica xerogel in different reaction conditions. Correlation between their macroscopic properties and their expected structure.
2) a) preparation of amino functionalized hybrid materials
b) Use of the materials as metal absorbents
3) preparation of mixed-metal oxide films.
4) Preparation of fluorescent xerogels by trapping of organic molecules.
5) Infrared characterization of the obtained materials. Lab training on FT-IR. Acquisition of spectra with different techniques: transmission, microreflection, HATR.
6) Preparation on gold and silver nanoparticles, their stabilization with water soluble polymers, cloud point extraction.
7) Preparation of ferrofluidic magnetite stabilizied nanoparticles.
8) Assembling of a dye sensitized solar cell:
coloranti
a) Preparation of Tin oxide conducting glass plates.
b) Preparation of nanocrystalline titanium oxide in anatase phase
c) Assembling of the cell and measuring of its electromotive force under solar and artificial light.
9) Preparation of electrocromic thin films based on iron cyanometalates.
10) Preparation of a silver mirror and its functionalization with a hydrophobic monolayer.
Teaching methods
Classroom instruction using blackboard and colored chalk. Projection on screen via computer of diagrams and texts related to the lesson.
Practical experiments carried out individually.
Assessment methods and criteria
Correction of a manuscript on laboratory experiments and oral examination
