Overall objectives:

1 - This curricular unit introduces the fundamentals and applications of important and emerging techniques for the characterization of nanomaterials. After the training of this class, the student will be able: To understand the theoretical basis for the functioning of microscopy techniques, diffraction, scattering, and other equally important techniques for the characterization of nanomaterials which were covered by the program of the course;
2 - To know the applications of each of the techniques, as well as their limitations;
3 - To identify the characterization technique to apply to a specific research project on nanomaterials.

Syllabus:

1 - The analysis and characterization of nanomaterials will be covered in two curricular units, one each semester. The first semester will be focused on the major characterization techniques available to materials researchers (microscopy and diffraction, and scattering techniques). Unit 1 will provide a sound background on various microscopy techniques used to characterize nanomaterials (e.g., fluorescence microscopy, TEM, SEM, HRTEM, AFM, and STM/SPM).
2 - Unit 2 will be focused on various diffraction techniques (e.g. XRD, Neutron Diffraction, Electron diffraction).
3 - Unit 3 will discuss scattering techniques (SAXS, SANS, Laser light scattering) and other technologies also used for nanomaterials characterization (e.g. gas adsorption, zeta potential measurement, particle size measurement, and size distribution analysis of samples).

Literature/Sources:

S. Thomas, R. Thomas, A. K. Zachariah, R. Kumar , 2017 , Microscopy Methods in Nanomaterials Characterization (Micro and Nano Technologies , Elsevier
Jr O. de Oliveira, G. M. Ferreira, F. Leite, A. L. Da Róz (Ed.), , 2017 , Nanocharacterization Techniques (Micro and Nano Technologies , Elsevier
A. R. F. Rolando, J. Rodrigues, M. A. Muñoz-Fernández, A. M. Muñoz, J. F. V. Manuel, J. C. Basurto , 2017 , Principal Physicochemical Methods Used to Characterize Dendrimer Molecule Complexes Used as Genetic Therapy Agents, Nanovaccines or Drug Carriers , Current Pharmaceutical Design
Maaz K. , 2015 , The Transmission Electron Microscope - Theory and Applications , IntechOpen
P. C. Lin, S. Lin, P.C.Wang, R. Sridhar, , 2014 , Techniques for physicochemical characterization of nanomaterials , Biotechnol Adv.,
G. Cao, Y. Wang, , 2010 , Nanostructures & Nanomaterials ? synthesis, properties and applications , World Scientific Publishing Company
M. Diventra, S. Evoy, J. R. Heflin , 2004 , Introduction to Nanoscale Science and Technology , Kluwer Academic Publishers
R. Kelsall, I. W. Hamley, M. Geoghegan , 2007 , Nanoscale Science and Technology , Wiley
M. Wilson, K. Kannangara, G. Smith, M. Simmons, B. Raguse , 2002 , Nanotechnology: Basic Science and Emerging Technologies , CRC Press
C.N.R. Rao, A. Müller, A.K. Cheetham , 2005 , The Chemistry of Nanomaterials: Volume 2, Synthesis, Properties and Applications , John-Wiley and Sons
11. C.N.R. Rao, K. Biswas , 2009 , Characterization of Nanomaterials by Physical Methods , Annual Review of Analytical Chemistry

Assesssment methods and criteria:

Classification Type: Quantitativa (0-20)

Evaluation Methodology:
This curricular unit includes 32 hours of theoretical and 32 hours of theoretical-practical classes. All teaching materials will be prepared in PowerPoint. Weekly, students will be assigned a work (questions) that should be presented on time. The assessment of student?s performance will be based on: a) 1 test (with a minimum grade of 9.5 and a weight of 50% for the final grade); b) 1 oral presentation of a recent research paper (15 min) chosen by the student (weighing 25% for the final grade); the degree of comprehension of the article, the quality of the presentation, and the ability to answer questions will be used to evaluate the student?s performance; c) the results of the weekly work (questions, weighing 25% for the final grade).