ADVANCED METHODOLOGIES FOR THE SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NANOSTRUCTURED MATERIALS

The main training objective of the course is the development of knowledge in the field of synthesis and characterization of materials in the form of thin, ultra-thin films and nano-structured systems using advanced methodologies.

Knowledge and understanding:
To acquire theoretical and experimental knowledge ofthe synthetic procedures of materials in the form of films, ultrathin films, and nanostructured systems. To acquireknowledge of the main structural characterization techniques, morphological and compositional materials.
Applying knowledge and understanding:
Ability to apply what students have learned during the lectures on thesynthesis and characterization of materials in the experiments carried out in the laboratory.
Making judgments:
Students learn to evaluate objectively how much they understand  the laboratory activities.
Communication skills:
Students acquire communication skills that are developed during lab activities thanks to a continuous verbal dialogue with the teacher, and furthermore during the oral exam.
Learning skills:
Learning skills are assessed through oral examination and laboratory reports that are an essential part ofthe course.

Information for students with disabilities and/or SLD
To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with the laws in force, interested students can request a personal interviewin order to plan any compensatory measures, based on the educational objectives and specific needs.

Basic knowledge of inorganic chemistry and basic concepts of the solid state.

Attendance of lessons is required in accordance with the regulations of the CdS.

Experiments carried out:
1) syntheses of precursors: Sr(hfa)2 tetraglyme, La(hfa)3diglyme, Ni(tta)2tmeda, Eu(tta)3phen;
2) Characterization of physico-chemical properties of synthesized precursors (m.p., FT-IR and UV-Vis spectra; thermogravimetric analyses);
3) Fabrication of oxides and fluoride or oxyfluoride films through MOCVD;
4) Application of the europium complex to the formation of a luminescent hybrid layer as solar concentration;
6) Structural characterization through XRD of synthesized materials.
5) Morphological (SEM) and compositional (EDX) characterization of synthesized materials;

Lecture notes and slides

Oral exam on the concepts covered in the laboratory experiments and evaluation of written reports.

Typical questions
- Thin film synthesis techniques.
- Sol-gel: applications to the synthesis of materials in various forms.
- X-ray diffraction: phase analysis, rocking curves and polar figures.
- Morphological characterization of materials: scanning electron microscopy.
- Microanalysis of X-rays in energy and wavelength dispersion.