Learning objectives
The course aims to provide the essential concepts of general chemistry for the study of materials, their properties and their interactions with the environment; emphasize the relationship between chemical science and practical and technological applications; increase students' awareness of the importance of chemistry and science in contemporary life and industrial activity.
Knowledge and understanding: at the end of the course the student will have integrated his knowledge on the basic chemical-physical phenomena that regulate the behavior of matter; will have learned the basics of the main techniques for the study of materials; will be able to understand (and illustrate) in a qualitative way the functioning of the main investigation techniques; will have knowledge concerning the synthesis of new materials.
Applying knowledge and understanding: at the end of the course the student will have developed the ability to recognize the chemical-physical characteristics of materials on the basis of knowledge of their structure; will be able to describe and compare the characteristics of analytical/spectroscopic techniques for the study of materials.
Making judgements: at the end of the course the student must have the tools to critically evaluate the advantages and limitations of the studied techniques; you must have acquired the ability to recognize and develop links between different parts of the course and with basic concepts covered in other courses.
Communication skills: at the end of the course the student must have developed linguistic skills sufficient to communicate the acquired knowledge in a clear, concise and effective way, using the correct scientific vocabulary, in order to correctly describe complex concepts in an understandable language.
Prerequisites
It is strongly recommended to have followed the course of Chemistry.
Course unit content
The course begins by recalling the essential concepts of general chemistry, highlighting the connection between the structure of matter and the chemical-physical properties, and therefore giving an overview of the possible interactions between radiation and matter at the basis of the main chemical and physical techniques used for the characterization of materials. In particular, the fundamental concepts of chemical bonding and intermolecular forces are recalled, the electronic, vibrational and rotational properties of molecules are illustrated, the properties of atomic nuclei and nuclear phenomena are described, the interactions with electromagnetic radiation are reviewed.
The course continues with an introduction to innovative materials, such as nanomaterials and functional materials with a review of the main synthesis methods. In particular, the following will be described: nanostructured materials such as titanium dioxide (important in photocatalysis for environmental remediation), silver nanoparticles (for biocidal properties), nanocellulose (for sustainable packaging and for the restoration of lignocellulosic material); hybrid functional polymers such as polyamidoamines (for the adsorption of pollutants and for the biostatic treatment) and polysiloxanes (for surface functionalisation); geopolymers (sustainable building materials) and ceramic materials. A part will be dedicated to the study of the chemical phenomena that occur at the interface between different phases and to the main methods of surface functionalization. In particular, the phenomena of surface adsorption and the fundamental principles of photocatalysis will be described. Therefore, properties such as wettability or hydrophobicity of surfaces by measuring the contact angle, phenomena of color appearance and surface reflectance by colorimetric measurements will be investigated.
The last part of the course describes the main chemical and physical investigation techniques on materials, such as X-ray diffractometry (XRD), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Infrared (IR) and Raman vibrational spectroscopy and atomic spectroscopy and UV-VIS spectroscopy techniques will be studied; thermal analysis techniques, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TGA) will be considered. The microscopy techniques, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), for the study of the morphology of materials and surfaces will be described. Ion beam analysis (IBA) techniques will also be briefly illustrated.
Bibliography
W.F. Smith, J. Hashemi; Foundations of Materials Science and Engineering Mc Graw-Hill.
W.D. Callister, D.G. Rethwisch, Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction. EdiSES.
D.A. Skoog, D.M. West, J.J. Leary; Principles of Instrumental Analysis; Thomson Learning.
Slides provided by the professor.
Assessment methods and criteria
Written test and oral duscussion
Other information
Classroom attendance is recommended.
