C9528 - PROPRIETA' E CARATTERIZZAZIONE DELLE SOSTANZE NATURALI INORGANICHE

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will have an in-depth knowledge of natural inorganic substances, with particular attention to their chemical, physical, and structural properties that determine their role in nature. This knowledge will enable the student to identify and classify the main natural inorganic substances, master the main instrumental techniques for inorganic analysis and characterization, interpret analytical and structural data in order to assign properties to the substances under study, also in relation to their potential applications, and understand the environmental, biological, and technological implications of such substances.

Course contents

Topic 1 – Introduction to natural inorganic substances

• Natural distribution of chemical elements in the lithosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere.
• Classification of natural inorganic substances.
• Geochemical, environmental, and biological origin of inorganic substances.

Topic 2 – Chemical properties and reactivity: natural inorganic processes

• Thermodynamic and kinetic stability.
• Solubility, speciation, and interactions in natural environments (including acid/base and redox properties).
• Biomineralization.
• Geochemical cycles.
• Inorganic compounds in natural detoxification processes.

Topic 3 – Applications and issues related to different classes of natural inorganic substances

• Industrially important minerals.
• Natural inorganic pigments.
• Inorganic substances in natural medicine and pharmaceuticals.
• Natural inorganic pollutants.

Topic 4 – Crystallochemistry and structure

• Principles of crystallochemistry.
• Common crystal structures in minerals.
• Relationship between structure and physical properties.
• Characterization techniques: X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron microscopy (SEM, TEM).

Topic 5 – Fundamentals of photochemistry and photophysics

• Fundamentals of photochemistry and photophysics.
• Photophysical processes.
• Instrumentation for photophysical characterization.
• Scanning probe microscopy (AFM, STM).

Practical exercises (12 hours)
Observation of natural samples using SEM and use of single-crystal and powder X-ray diffractometers.

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture slides and other teaching materials distributed by the instructors.

The reference textbooks are:

Geoff Rayner-Canham, Tina Overton, “Chimica Inorganica Descrittiva”, EDISES.

G.H. Stout and L.H. Jensen: “X-ray Structure Determination: A Practical Guide” (John Wiley & Sons)

Joseph I. Goldstein, Dale E. Newbury, Nicholas W.M. Ritchie, John Henry J. Scott, David C. Joy: “Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Microanalysis”.

Textbooks for further study:

Mark Weller, Tina Overton, Jonathan Rourke, Fraser Armstrong, “La Chimica Inorganica di Atkins”, Zanichelli.

 

Teaching methods

The course is organized into lectures and instrumental laboratory sessions, during which an introduction is provided to the use of X-ray diffraction techniques on single crystals and powders and to the use of electron microscopy for the study of natural substances.

Assessment methods

Learning is assessed through a final examination, which aims at verifying the acquisition of the expected knowledge and skills through an oral test. The oral exam lasts approximately 30-40 minutes and consists of some general questions on the topics covered during the lectures.

The final grade will be based on the ability to:

• clearly and accurately present the concepts, both in terms of content and scientific terminology;

• make connections between the acquired notions, demonstrating an understanding that goes beyond mere memorization of the subject matter.

Active participation in the laboratory exercises will also contribute to the final evaluation.

With regard to assessment, the use of AI is strictly prohibited. Any use of AI constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

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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 they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted to the lecturer at least 15 days before the exam date. The lecturer will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

Projector, PC, white/blackboard, graphics programs for image/data elaboration.

Office hours

See the website of Luca Conti

See the website of Emilio Parisini