To show the basis of microscopy applied to spectroscopic techniques for the study of the chemical structure and properties of micro- and nano-structured inorganic systems and for combining the results from different experimental techniques in unified phenomenological interpretations.
Course Prerequisites
Fundamental knowledge of general and inorganic chemistry and physics at the level of science bachelor, specifically: interactions of light with matter, molecular and atomic structure, principles of spectroscopy, fluorescence and phosphorescence. Useful to know fundamental concepts of biology, such as the structure of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, and the structure and function of biomolecules. It is not necessary to have previous knowledge on microscopy.
Teaching Methods
Lessons in person with use of slides and blackboard. The slides will be provided to the students after every lesson.
Assessment Methods
Preparation of a brief written report related to a topic of the course assigned by the professor, followed by an oral test to discuss the report and the fundamental topics of the course.
Texts
Didatic material provided by the professor (slides and scientific articles). There is no unique text book for this course.
Contents
the course starts from the foundations of microscopy and spectroscopy of inorganic systems, developing three complementary topics: 1) analytical tools based on optical devices (e.g. laser ablation ICPMS, photo-acoustic spectroscopy, photo-thermal optical microscopy) applied to inorganic systems (e.g. quantum dots, inorganic micro-particles, and coordination chemistry systems) 2) analytical techniques based on charged particles (e.g. transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy and their associated spectroscopies, focused ion beam) applied to nano- and micro-structured systems (e.g. noble metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, and their composites) 3) Surface Chemistry techniques (incl. scanning tunneling microscopy, X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy, electro diffraction) applied to inorganic materials and functional surfaces (e.g. antimicrobial surfaces and materials for tissue engineering based on coordination chemistry and inorganic nanoparticles). For each of these topics we will introduce the typical methods for sample preparation, including strategies to increase spatial resolution and sensitivity, covering a wide range of applications, from the structural characterization of solid materials for chemical catalysis to the imaging of complex biological systems and bio-interfaces relevant to biomedical and pharmacological applications.
