CHEMISTRY FOR NANOTECHNOLOGY

The course is part of the core educational activities of the Master's Degree in Science and Technology of Bio and Nanomaterials, and it allows the students to acquire the basic knowledge of chemistry for nanotechnology.
It will give students the fundamentals for the understanding of the main synthetic methods of nanostructural systems and colloids, the nucleation and growth models (classical and non-classical) of nanocrystals from liquid phase and quantum confinements effects on their physical-chemical properties. In addition, the fundamental concepts of the techniques for the investigation of nanomaterials and application aspects will be introduced.

STRUCTURE AND CONTENT OF THE COURSE COULD CHANGE AS A CONSEQUENCE OF COVID-19.

1. Knowledge and understanding
a) To know and to understand the main methodologies of colloidal synthesis discussed during the course
b) To know and to understand the main models of nucleation and growth
c) To know and to understand the physical-chemical properties of nanomaterials

2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
a) Being able to use the concepts and the models learnt during the course in the inorganic synthesis laboratory
b) Being able to choose the best synthetic methodology for a specific nanomaterial
c) Being able to foresee and logically interpret the effects of quantum confinements of metal and semiconductors nanoparticles

3. Judgment skills
a) Being able to judge the suitability of a nanosystem synthesis, evaluating the possibility of different approaches
b) Being able to judge the consistency of the results obtained during the laboratory

4. Communication skills
a) Being able to use the appropriate terminology and scientific symbols learnt during the course
b) Being able to interact constructively and respectfully with the teacher and with the classmates

5. Learning ability
a) Being able to take notes in an effective and rigorous way, evidencing the topics according to their importance
b) Being able to critically consult the texts and the teaching material indicated by the teacher

The prerequisites for the course include the fundamental knowledge of inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry/materials science and physics of the solid state.

INTRODUCTION OF CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURE OF CONDENSED MATTER
General introduction. The crystalline structure of simple solids (description of crystal structures, metals, alloys and ionic solids) and the electronic structure of solids (insulators, semiconductors and metals).

INTRODUCTION TO NANOMATERIALS AND TO CHARACTERIZATION TECHNIQUES
“Nanoscale: size matters!” History, definitions and classifications. Synthetic processes (top-down and bottom-up methods). Introduction to experimental techniques for nanomaterials investigation: X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy (SEM/TEM), Optical Spectroscopy (absorption, reflectance, scattering and luminescence), Analytical Ultracentrifugation and Dynamic Light Scattering.

FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS OF COLLOIDAL NANOPARTICLE SYNTHESIS
Colloids from dispersion methods. Fundamental concepts of colloidal nanoparticle synthesis (classical and non-classical theories of nucleation and growth), size and capping agent effects.
Overview on conventional liquid-phase bottom-up methods:
(i) colloidal methods (e.g. nucleation from solution/coprecipitation, reduction to metal colloids, techniques for the control of nanometals shape, thermal decomposition/hot injection, seeded growth, polyol-assisted synthesis, hydrothermal and solvothermal methods, microemulsion synthesis);
(ii) sol-gel methods: aqueous sol-gel synthesis of nanosystems (hydrolysis and condensation) and non-aqueous sol-gel synthesis;
(iii) templating methods for supported NPs (soft and hard templating methods) and mesoporous nanoparticles.
Effects of different synthetic procedures for different families of compounds.

CHEMICAL-PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF NANOMATERIALS
Properties of nanomaterials: electrical, mechanical, magnetic and optical properties. Quantum confinement effect on (i) metals (localized surface plasmon resonance and Mie theory), (ii) semiconductors (density of states discretization, optical properties and quantum dots) and (iii) phase transitions (effect on melting temperatures and metastable phases stabilization). Overview on luminescent inorganic nanomaterials (lanthanide-doped nanocrystals, quantum dots, metal halide perovskite nanocrystals).

LABORATORY and SEMINAR
Introduction to laboratory. Synthesis and characterization of inorganic nanoparticles in relation to the theoretical contents of the course (metal nanoparticles, quantum dots, core-shell nanoparticles, fluorides and oxides). Spectroscopic characterization to study the kinetics of formation and the optical properties (UV-VIS, photoluminescence), structural (XRD) and morphological analysis (size and shape by SEM, DLS and analytical ultracentrifugation) of the synthetized nanoparticles. Lecture to explain how to treat the data and meeting to discuss the results and the main concepts.
The attendance of the laboratory activities is compulsory.

Concepts recalled during the lectures: Electronic configuration of atoms and ions. Periodical properties in chemistry (atomic radii, ionization energy, electron affinity, electronegativity. Properties of solutions (solubility). Chemical equilibria: acid-base, precipitations and redox.

Lesson notes. The teaching material shown during the lessons will be provided by the teacher. Specific articles available on the net will also be suggested.

C. de Mello Donega, Nanoparticles, Springer-Verlag, 2014
C.N.R. Rao, A. Muller, A.K. Cheetham, Nanomaterials Chemistry: Recent Developments and New Directions, WILEY-VCH, 2007
D. Vollath, Nanomaterials: An Introduction to Synthesis, Properties, and Applications, WILEY-VCH, Second Edition, 2013

Fundamental concepts of inorganic chemistry:
D. Shiver, M. Weller et al., Inorganic Chemistry, W. H. Freeman and Company, 2014, Chapters 2-5, 8

The exam consists of a written test based on essay style questions in 2 hours total (50% of the final score) and the evaluation of the report related to the experimental activity (50% of the final score). During the exam, the use of notes, books and other teaching materials is not allowed. A final written report about the experimental laboratory must be submitted not later than two weeks before the final exam and, as a final deadline, not later than three months from the conclusion of the laboratory.

Teaching is organized in face-to-face lectures and laboratory. With the aim to stimulate a discussion on the laboratory, the results of the experiences will be discussed during a meeting with the students. The participation to the laboratory and to at least 80% of the lessons is compulsory.

English

Accessibility, Disability and Inclusion

Accommodation and support services for students with disabilities and students with specific learning impairments:
Ca’ Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding support services and accommodation available to students with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual, hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning impairments (Law 170/2010). In the case of disability or impairment that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note takers or interpreters) please contact the Disability and Accessibility Offices in Student Services: disabilita@unive.it.

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