Learning objectives
D1 - Knowledge and comprehension skills
The student will be able to describe the fundamental concepts of nanochemistry and how they are applied to the different classes of materials. He will understand the thermodynamic basis of the growth of nanocrystals and the interactions between them. He will be able to describe how the interactions affect the self-assembly of nanocrystals. He will know methods for controlling the size, shape, defects, and surface chemistry of nanostructures, as well as the effect of these parameters on the optical, magnetic, biological, and electrical properties of materials.
D2 - Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
The student will have the ability to draw up one or more synthetic strategies for obtaining a proposed nanostructure. As well as it will have the ability to qualitatively predict how the properties of the material are modified in the nanostructured form. Finally, the student will know which characterization approaches are necessary to validate the success of the synthetic strategies he / she proposes.
D3 - Autonomy of judgment
The student will be able to independently evaluate characterization data that identify fundamental aspects of nanostructured materials (composition, size, shape, crystalline structure). He/she will also be able to identify additional characterizations that may be necessary to uniquely identify a nanostructured material.
D4 - Communication skills
The student will be able to find information and communicate on issues related to nanochemistry.
D5 - Learning skills
The student will be able to obtain and sift information through databases and search engines, and will be able to continue to study the subject of nanochemistry independently.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of electromagnetism, thermodynamics, acquired in the three-year degree courses.
Course unit content
Introduction to the fundamental concepts of nanochemistry from a phenomenological point of view: effect of surfaces, dimensions, shape on the properties of materials; use of self-assembly for the creation of materials; role of defects on the properties and functions of materials; the interaction between biological materials and structures.
Control of the surfaces of nanostructured materials
• Use of molecular grafting procedures to modify the surface chemistry of oxide, chalcogen and metal surfaces.
• Use of soft lithography procedures for patterning surfaces. Microfluidics applications.
Control of the dimensions of nanostructured materials
• Fundamentals of growth of nanocrystals.
• Synthesis, stabilization, and purification of nanostructured colloids using repulsive interactions.
• Effect of dimensions on the optical, electronic and magnetic properties of materials (plasmon resonance, quantum confinement, and superparamagnetism).
Control of the shape of nanostructured materials
• Use of templating agents (physical such as alumina membranes, or chemical such as in the galvanic exchange, exchange of cations, or Kirkendall effect) for the creation of nanostructures with defined and repeatable shapes.
Control of superstructures of nanostructured materials
• Use of self-assembly of surfactants for the synthesis of inorganic or hybrid materials with nano- or mesoporous structures. Classification of mesoporous materials.
• Use of layer-by-layer self-assembly with polyelectrolytes or charged nanostructures.
• Use of evaporation-induced self-assembly for the formation of nanoparticle superlattices.
Defect control in nanostructured materials.
• Control of surface defects for the formation of superhydrophobic surfaces.
Control of the interactions between nanostructured materials and biological structures.
• Use of the optical and magnetic properties of nanostructured materials for therapeutic or diagnostic applications.
• Use of molecular grafting with oligomers for the creation of "stealth" nano particles
Characterization methods for nanostructures
• Classification of characterization systems for nanostructured materials mainly focused on their limitations and the information that can be obtained from them.
Full programme
Introduction to the fundamental concepts of nanochemistry from a phenomenological point of view: effect of surfaces, dimensions, shape on the properties of materials; use of self-assembly for the creation of materials; role of defects on the properties and functions of materials; the interaction between biological materials and structures.
Control of the surfaces of nanostructured materials
• Use of molecular grafting procedures to modify the surface chemistry of oxide, chalcogen and metal surfaces.
• Use of soft lithography procedures for patterning surfaces. Microfluidics applications.
Control of the dimensions of nanostructured materials
• Fundamentals of growth of nanocrystals.
• Synthesis, stabilization, and purification of nanostructured colloids using repulsive interactions.
• Effect of dimensions on the optical, electronic and magnetic properties of materials (plasmon resonance, quantum confinement, and superparamagnetism).
Control of the shape of nanostructured materials
• Use of templating agents (physical such as alumina membranes, or chemical such as in the galvanic exchange, exchange of cations, or Kirkendall effect) for the creation of nanostructures with defined and repeatable shapes.
Control of superstructures of nanostructured materials
• Use of self-assembly of surfactants for the synthesis of inorganic or hybrid materials with nano- or mesoporous structures. Classification of mesoporous materials.
• Use of layer-by-layer self-assembly with polyelectrolytes or charged nanostructures.
• Use of evaporation-induced self-assembly for the formation of nanoparticle superlattices.
Defect control in nanostructured materials.
• Control of surface defects for the formation of superhydrophobic surfaces.
Control of the interactions between nanostructured materials and biological structures.
• Use of the optical and magnetic properties of nanostructured materials for therapeutic or diagnostic applications.
• Use of molecular grafting with oligomers for the creation of "stealth" nano particles
Characterization methods for nanostructures
• Classification of characterization systems for nanostructured materials mainly focused on their limitations and the information that can be obtained from them. D1 - Knowledge and comprehension skills
The student will be able to describe the fundamental concepts of nanochemistry and how they are applied to the different classes of materials. He will understand the thermodynamic basis of the growth of nanocrystals and the interactions between them. He will be able to describe how the interactions affect the self-assembly of nanocrystals. He will know methods for controlling the size, shape, defects, and surface chemistry of nanostructures, as well as the effect of these parameters on the optical, magnetic, biological, and electrical properties of materials.
D2 - Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
The student will have the ability to draw up one or more synthetic strategies for obtaining a proposed nanostructure. As well as it will have the ability to qualitatively predict how the properties of the material are modified in the nanostructured form. Finally, the student will know which characterization approaches are necessary to validate the success of the synthetic strategies he / she proposes.
D3 - Autonomy of judgment
The student will be able to independently evaluate characterization data that identify fundamental aspects of nanostructured materials (composition, size, shape, crystalline structure). He/she will also be able to identify additional characterizations that may be necessary to uniquely identify a nanostructured material.
D4 - Communication skills
The student will be able to find information and communicate on issues related to nanochemistry.
D5 - Learning skills
The student will be able to obtain and sift information through databases and search engines, and will be able to continue to study the subject of nanochemistry independently.
Bibliography
Concepts of Nanochemistry
Ludovico Cademartiri & Geoffrey A. Ozin
Wiley-VCH, I ed.
Teaching methods
Hopefully, the lessons will be held in person, however with the continuation of the Covid-19 emergency, the activities can be carried out in telepresence through the use of the Teams and Elly platforms. In particular, lessons will be held in both synchronous (via Teams) and asynchronous mode (uploaded on the Elly page of the course).
Assessment methods and criteria
The preparation will be verified with an oral test evaluated in thirtieths. The oral exam will consist of a question on a topic treated in class at the student's choice and on two topics chosen by the teacher. In one of these, the student will be asked to formulate a synthetic strategy to obtain a nanostructure selected by the teacher, what properties can be expected from this nanostructure, as well as what characterization approaches are necessary to validate the success of the synthetic strategy he / she proposed.
Other information
NONE
