Superfici intelligenti e multi-responsive

The course seeks to comprehend the chemical-physical principles that govern smart surfaces, learn the key methods for surface functionalization, grasp the self-organization phenomena of macromolecules at interfaces, the chemical-physical parameters influencing their structure and stability, and the primary techniques for morphological and structural characterization.

More specifically, the goals of the course are to

- knowledge and comprehension:at the end of the course the student will be able to understand the laws and chemical-physical quantities that characterize the behavior of intelligent and multi-responsive surfaces. 

-capacity to utilize knowledge and comprehension: the student will be able to critically and autonomously apply the scientific method to analyze, interpret and model complex chemical processes and develop scientific and/or technical application projects. It will be able to use complex measurement and analysis equipment for surface characterization and will also be able to use the operational skills acquired for the different professional and research needs in the relevant fields

- independence in assessment:  at the end of the course, the student will be able to choose the appropriate surface modification methodology for the application purposes designed and select the most suitable technique for its characterization; critically transfer the methodological skills acquired on surfaces to different operational contexts and research topics, independently identifying the most suitable approaches in relation to the specificity of the problem; find and analyze open access database information, scientific literature, etc.; formulate reflections on scientific and ethical issues regarding sustainability, environmental and economic impact and safety; plan the experimental activity by evaluating its times and methods, independently judge the result obtained and quantify it. During laboratory activities the student will acquire the ability to work in a group.

- communication ability: at the end of the course the student will be able to express himself clearly and effectively, with precision and scientific rigor; to argue and support scientific questions in specialized and popular contexts. The student will acquire communication skills useful for participating in or coordinating multidisciplinary projects and groups in the field of scientific research. He will be able to work independently, managing time, resources and adapting to new contexts and to transmit the knowledge acquired in the theoretical and/or experimental field to three-year students. During the laboratory activity, the student will have to learn to interact with colleagues, plan and manage the time necessary to carry out the laboratory experience, work both in a group and independently, adapting to different contexts. 

- capacity to pursue studies autonomously: at the end of the course, the student will be able to critically search and evaluate data from scientific literature, databases and online sources to obtain useful information for the scientific research he carries out; know how to deal with new studies, emerging scientific issues and professional problems in different work contexts; manage complex problems, including those of an interdisciplinary nature; to find and evaluate information to formulate and argue solutions in specialist and dissemination fields

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

The course will consist of 4 credits provided through lectures and 2 credit of laboratory exercises.

-Knowledge of physical chemistry of surfaces and interfaces and in particular of interfacial tension, charged interfaces and adsorption to the interface

-Polymer chemistry

-Solid-state chemistry

Attendance required at least 70 % of lessons

Introduction to Surface Chemistry: 

- Fundamental principles of surface and interface chemistry

- Surface energy and interfacial tension

- Wettability and contact angle

- Surface–molecule interactions

- Surface charge and electrical double layer

- Adsorption at the interface: thermodynamic and kinetic aspects

Smart and multi-responsive materials: 

- Properties and structure of polymers

- Relationship between structure and properties of polymeric materials

- Polymers responsive to external stimuli: temperature, pH, light and electric fields

- Multi-responsive materials and intelligent macromolecules

- Conducting polymers: structure, conduction mechanisms and properties

- Smart material applications

Surface functionalization: 

- Surface modification and functionalization strategies

- Self-assembly and formation of molecular monolayers (SAMs)

- Adsorption processes: thermodynamic and kinetic aspects

- Interactions between biomolecules and functionalized surfaces

Bioelectronics: 

- Fundamental principles of bioelectronics

- Interaction between electronic materials and biological systems

- Conductive polymers for the control and monitoring of cellular activity

- Material interfaces–cells

- Applications in biomedicine and biosensors

Surface characterization:

Scanning probe microscopies: Tunnell effect microscopy, Atomic force microscopy, Force spectroscopy.

Quartz crystal microbalance. 

Localized surface plasmon resonance

Spectroscopic ellipsometry

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy 

Main electrochemical techniques for surface characterization 

Laboratory:

- Preparation and functionalization of surfaces

- Characterization using the main surface analysis techniques addressed during the course

- Analysis and interpretation of experimental data

- Correlation between functionalization, structure and surface properties

Polymer Physics (M. Rubinstein – Oxford University Press)

Scanning Probe Microscopy of Soft Matter: Fundamentals and Practices (V. V. Tsukruk, S. Singamaneni - Wiley)

Organic electronics (Fabio Cicoira and Clara Santato - Wiley)

Electrical Properties of Polymers- (Tony Blythe, David Bloor - Cambridge University Press)

Intelligent macromolecules for smart devices (L. Dai - Springer)

The exam consists of an oral exam and concerns exclusively the topics covered during lessons and experiences carried out in the laboratory.

The evaluation will mainly take into account:

• Knowledge and correctness of content: ability to correctly present the concepts and principles addressed during the course.
  
• Understanding: The ability to explain and understand the processes underlying the main relationships, models, and outcomes discussed.
  
• Correctness of equations: ability to correctly report and interpret the main equations addressed during the course.
  
• Scientific language: appropriate use of terminology and ability to express concepts clearly and precisely.
  
• Consistency of exposition: ability to logically organize topics and relate different concepts to each other.
  
• Connection between theory and practice: ability to apply theoretical concepts to laboratory experiences, correctly interpreting their principles, results, and observations.
  

Particular importance will be given to understanding the topics, rather than simply memorizing them, and to the ability to connect theoretical aspects with experimental observations.

Definition and properties multi-responsive systems.

Describe the behavior of biomolecules at interface.

Models to describe the conductivity mechanism of conductive polymers

Principles and characteristics of bioelectronics

Principles of characterization techniques