Learning objectives
Provide the basic understanding on how to design and prepare a functional material
Course unit content
<br />Aim of the course: New materials represent one of the frontiers of chemical research. This course will highlight the working methodology in materials research through the study of four different classes of materials. For each class physical, chemical and application aspects will be discussed in a comprehensive way.<br />Introduction: Nanofabrication via self-assembly and self-organization, transfer of the molecular properties to the macroscopic properties.<br />Liquid crystals: Definition, physical properties, types of mesophases, Synthesis, structure-property relationship, characterization, electrical and optical properties. LC polymers. Applications: LCD, thermochromism, etc.<br />Chemical sensors: Working principle of thermal, piezoelectric, electrochemical and optical sensors. Sensing materials like ionophores, host-guest compounds, etc. Applications: gas sensors, liquid sensors, artificial olfactory systems.<br />Non linear optical materials: Theory. Synthesis and structure-property relationship. Second and third harmonic generation. Kerr effect. Applications: frequency doublers, fiber optics integrated circuits, Mach-Zender modulators.<br />Conductive polymers: Theory. Electrical conductivity in organic materials. Doping. Synthesis and conductive properties of polyacetylene, polianiline, polypyrrole, polytiofene. Applications: ultralight batteries, conductimetric sensors, etc.<br />
Bibliography
<br />Hand-outs<br />Principles of Chemical Sensors, Jiri Janata, Plenum Press, 1989
Teaching methods
<br />Frontal lectures<br />Oral examination
