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 comprises both lectures and practical exercises. It is divided into three teaching modules, 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 a spectroscopic analytical method.

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, gas chromatography (GC) and liquid chromatography (HPLC), instrumental basics and applications of mass spectrometry, selection of an analytical method.

Practical exercises will be focused on the use of software (e.g., Microsoft Excel) for processing and analysis of experimental data.

Module 3 (20 hours)

The analytical process: definition and selection of an analytical method, sampling and its role in the analytical process, sampling of solids/liquids/gases, sample preparation and its role in the analytical process, methods of treatment of solid and liquid samples.

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 andsupplementary teaching material (e.g., insights, exercises, multiple-choice auto-evaluation tests) will be available in electronic format on "Virtuale" (https://virtuale.unibo.it, access with credentials reserved for students enrolled at the University of Bologna).

Recommended reference textbooks

Statistica ed elaborazione dei risultati sperimentali: 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).

Chimica analitica generale: 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).

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.

Assessment methods

For each teaching module, a separate oral exam will be carried out. The exam will focus on the topics covered during the lectures and will aim to verify the student’s acquisition of the expected knowledge and 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.

For each exam, a grade will be assigned (maximum 30/30) and the final grade of the course will be the average of the grades obtained for the individual teaching modules.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities must contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, considering the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

Video projector for room lectures. Practical exercises will be done in the classroom, on students’ personal PCs using software available for students at the University of Bologna (e.g., Microsoft Excel) or in the 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 Jessica Fiori

See the website of Andrea Zattoni