66361 - Chemical and Physical Methods for the Characterisation of Molecules and Aggregates

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student knows the theoretical foundations and the operating principles of the instrumentation used in linear and non linear spectroscopy, in photoemission processes and resonance techniques. The student will also be instructed on the physical chemical principles of redox processes and their applications to signal trasduction in chemical and biological sensors.

Course contents

Module I (Prof. S. Melandri)

Electromagnetic radiation and its interaction with atoms and molecules. Absorption and emission processes. Line width and removal of line width.

General features of spectroscopic experimental methods in the various regions of the electromagnetic spectrum: radiofrequency, microwaves, infrared, UV-Vis.

Symmetry of molecules and group theory applications in spectroscopy.

Rotational spectroscopy. Classifications of rotors and their rotational spectra. Rotational Raman spectroscopy. Structure determination.

Vibrational spectroscopy. Diatomic molecules: the harmonic oscillator, anharmonicity, vibration-rotation spectroscopy. Polyatomic molecules: normal modes of vibrations, selection rules, vibration-rotation spectroscopy.

Electronic spectroscopy. Classification of electronic states in atoms, selection rules and spectra. Electronic potential energy curves and the Frank-Condon principle. Polyatomic molecules: molecular orbitals, electronic and vibronic selection rules.

Lasers and laser spectroscopy. Multi-photon spectroscopy and dynamical processes. Photoelectron spectroscopy. Raman spectroscopy.

Module II (Prof. M. Marcaccio)

Physical-chemical principles of the signal trasduction in sensors and biosensors.

Potentiometric sensors.

Electrode/solution interface, heterogeneous electron transfer, amperometric and voltammetric techniques.

Mechanisms of electrochemically induced reactions and catalysis

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

Introduction to scanning probe microscopy techniques.

Modification of electrode and optical surfaces and their characterization.

Amperometric sensors and biosensors.

Optical, luminescent and electrochemiluminescent sensors.

Mass sensors: devices based on piezoelectric systems and cantilever.

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture notes and slides

Module 1 & 3

P. W Astkins, J. De Paula, J. Keeler Chimica Fisica, VI ed. it., Zanichelli (2020)-General Text

Modern Spectroscopy, J.M. Hollas, Wiley 4th Edition. Used for deepening the part of the course dealing with experimental techniques 

Chimica Fisica, un approccio molecolare, D.A. McQuarrie& J.D. Simon, Zanichelli Ed. 2000.Used for deepening the part of the course dealing with group theory

Module 2

Chemical and Biological Sensors; D. Diamond; Wiley 1998

Chemical Sensors and Biosensors; B. R. Eggins; Wiley 2002

Electrochemical Methods - Fundamentals and Applications, A. J. Bard, L. R. Faulkner, Wiley (II edition)

Teaching methods

The course consists in two units: spectroscopy and sensors.

The spectroscopy part consists of 40 hours of lessons and exercises on the fundamentals of spectroscopy and group theory applied to spectroscopy and 12 hours of laboratory practice.

The second unit consists of 16 hours of lessons and 12 of exercises.

In consideration of the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, the attendance of this training activity requires the performance of all the students of Modules 1 and 2 in e-learning mode and the participation in Module 3 of specific training on safety and health in places of study.

https://site.unibo.it/tutela-promozione-salute-sicurezza/it/corsi-di-formazione/formazione-obbligatoria-su-sicurezza-e-salute-per-svolgimento-di-tirocinio-tesi-laboratorio

Information on dates and methods of attendance of Module 3 of security can be consulted in the specific section of the degree program website.

Assessment methods

Spectroscopy: written exam with numerical exercises and open questions. The exam can be taken in two steps in itinere or as a whole at the end of the course. The first exam will be on the initial and more general part of the course including group theory applied to spectroscopy while the second exam will be on spectroscopic techniques in different regiond of the spetrum.

A written report of the laboratory practice is also required.

Sensors:written exam

Grading Criteria:

Points 18-23: from barely sufficient to sufficient knowledge of the subject, some even serious errors;

Points 24-26: from fair to good knowledge of the subject, some minor errors;

Points 27-29: from good to very good knowledge of the subject, some imperfections and/or some presentation flaws;

Points 30-30L: from excellent to outstanding knowledge of the subject, thorough and brilliant presentation, minimal or no imperfections. Honors are awarded when the overall performance is decisively above average.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, 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, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

Videoprojector, Spectroscopy laboratory, Computational laboratory. Teaching material will be available on the Virtuale platform.

Office hours

See the website of Sonia Melandri

See the website of Massimo Marcaccio

See the website of Luca Evangelisti