08149 - CHIMICA ANALITICA E STRUMENTALE

Learning outcomes

The course will provide the students with the basic knowledge of common analytical techniques and their application to the characterization of materials, products, and processes in different industrial fields. At the end of the course, the students will have acquired the ability to identify and manage the main elements of the "analytical process": 1) definition of the objective of the analysis, 2) sampling, 3) removal of interference and /or concentration, 4) measurement, 5) statistical evaluation of results, 6) drafting of final technical report. Students will be able to establish how to determine one or more analytes in a complex sample, recognize the possible presence of simultaneous equilibria, and use different instrumental analytical techniques. Additionally, they will understand the basic concepts of statistics for data processing in analytical chemistry and become familiar with quality control standards for validating an analytical method. Students will also acquire skills in instrumentation management, also with reference to quality management systems and certification and accreditation procedures according to national and international standards, Good Laboratory Practice and Good Manufacturing Practice.

Course contents

The course is extensive and divided into four teaching modules (two modules for cycle) in which the topics listed below will be addressed.

Module 1 (18 hours)

- Processing of analytical data, methods of calibration, validation, quality control: identification and treatment of errors in chemical analysis, statistical tools for the evaluation of experimental data, expression of the analytical result, calibration curves, linear and non-linear regression, quantitative analysis (external calibration, internal calibration and calibration with standard addition), quality parameters and validation of an analytical method, basics of quality control in an analytical laboratory.

- Absorption and emission spectroscopic techniques: electromagnetic radiation, atomic/molecular absorption and emission spectra, Lambert-Beer law and quantitative analysis, instrumental and methodological aspects in atomic and molecular spectroscopy, selection of an analytical method.

- Basics on high-productivity bioanalytical methods: principles and use of analysis kits based on bioanalytical methods (e.g., enzymatic and immunological methods).

Module 2 (10 hours + 10 hours of practical exercises)

- Separative and mass spectrometric techniques: principles of chromatography and separation parameters, experimental and instrumental aspects of separative methods, gaschromatography (GC) and liquid chromatography (HPLC), instrumental basics and applications of mass spectrometry, selection of an analytical method.

- Practical exercises: use of software for instrumentation management and data processing (e.g., data analysis and construction of calibration curves with Microsoft Excel), drafting of validation reports of an analytical method.

Module 3 (12 hours)

- The analytical process: definition and application of an analytical method, sampling and its role in the analytical process, sampling plans, sampling of solids/liquids/gases, effect of sampling on the uncertainty of results, sample preparation and its role in the analytical process, methods of treatment of solid and liquid samples, liquid-liquid extraction, solid-phase extraction.

Module 4 (8 hours)

- Volumetric techniques: theory of volumetric analysis, titrations with visual indicators and instrumental techniques.

- Electrochemical techniques: conductivity, specific/equivalent/equivalent at infinite dilution conductivity, conductivity meters, direct and indirect conductivity measurements, potentiometry, ion-selective and reference electrodes, potentiometric methods with ion-selective and metal indicator electrodes, amperometry.

Readings/Bibliography

PowerPoint slides of the lectures, supplementary teaching material (e.g. insights, films, exercises, quizzes), instructions for laboratory exercises and for writing reports will be available on "Virtuale" (https://virtuale.unibo.it, access with credentials reserved for students enrolled at the University of Bologna).

Suggested textbooks
- J.F. Holler, S.R. Crouch. Fondamenti di chimica analitica, 3° Ed. (EdiSES, 2015).
- D.C. Harris. Chimica analitica quantitativa, 3° Ed. (Zanichelli, 2017).
- D.A. Skoog, J.F. Holler, S.R. Crouch. Chimica analitica strumentale, 2° Ed. (EdiSES, 2009).
- G. Filatrella, P. Romano. Elaborazione statistica dei dati sperimentali, 2° Ed. (EdiSES, 2022).
- M. Grotti, F. Ardini. Il laboratorio di chimica analitica, 1° Ed. (EdiSES, 2022).

Teaching methods

The course is organized in lectures and practical exercises. In the lectures the topics of the course will be presented and discussed, while the practical exercises carried out in the classroom or computer room will allow to deepen the knowledge of the theoretical topics addressed in the course through practical examples, as well as to apply the knowledge acquired to the analysis and interpretation of experimental data (e.g., obtained during the laboratory activities carried out by the students).

The course participates in the University's educational innovation project.

Assessment methods

Oral exam on the topics covered during the course, aimed at verifying the acquisition of knowledge and expected skills. In particular, the knowledge of procedures for processing and evaluating experimental data for quantitative analysis and validating an analytical method, the understanding of the basic principles and procedures of the main classical and instrumental analytical techniques, the knowledge of the main sample treatment procedures, and the ability to select the most suitable technique for solving a given analytical problem will be evaluated. The evaluation will be based on the demonstration of the critical understanding of the topics and the ability to discuss them.

Teaching tools

Video projector for room lectures. Practical exercises will be done on students’ personal PCs using software available for students at the University of Bologna (e.g., Microsoft Excel) or in computer room. The teaching material will be available in electronic format on “Virtuale” (https://virtuale.unibo.it, access with credentials reserved for students enrolled at the University of Bologna).

Office hours

See the website of Massimo Guardigli

See the website of Martina Zangheri

See the website of Andrea Zattoni

See the website of Erika Scavetta