All programmes > Surface Analysis and Science

Surface Analysis and Science (B-KUL-H0E27A)

5 ECTSEnglish60 First termCannot be taken as part of an examination contractCannot be taken as part of a credit contract
N.
Extern Universitat de Barcelona
POC Nanowetenschappen en nanotechnologie

Aims

General objectives of knowledge:             

  • To give a general vision of the different procedures for preparation of nanometric materials: bottom up and top down.
  • To consolidate knowledge of multiple techniques to obtain nanomaterials following the bottom up approach.
  • To know the importance of the synthesis method in the material properties.
  • To give a general vision of applications of nanomaterials in diverse fields.
  • To give practice on nanomaterials synthesis and characterization by several training sessions.
  • To show some significant bibliographical references in this area.

 

(ECTS course)

Is included in these courses of study

Activities

4.33 ects. Surface Analysis and Science: Lectures (B-KUL-H0E27a)

4.33 ECTSEnglishFormat: Lecture52 First term
N.
POC Nanowetenschappen en nanotechnologie

Content

1. Surface Science

  • Thermodynamic Aspects: interfacial energy, surface stress, adhesion, capillarity and contact angle.
  • Surface crystallography. Determination of structure from LEED,HREM, SPM. Relaxation and reconstruction. Surface morphology.
  • Electronic structure: conductors and insulators.
  • Growth of well-defined surfaces. Epitaxy. Thermodynamic and kinetic aspects (equilibrium and quasi-equilibrium).
  • Self-assembled monolayers (SAM’s) and Langmuir-Blodgett films (LB’s)

 

2. Adsorption of molecules on a surface

  • Molecular bond on a surface: superstructures.
  • Surface reconstruction in the presence of an adsorbate. Example of structures.
  • Single-molecule adsorption and kinetics. Potential energy curves and adsorption energy.
  • Surface diffusion and mobility. The process of desorption.
  • Thermodynamics vs. Kinetics of adsorption.
  • Adsorption at the solid-liquid interface. Chemisorption and catalysis: mechanisms.

 

3. Mechanical properties in solids

  • Surface tribology: friction, indentation, adhesion.
  • Nanoindentation: atomic force microscopy for mechanical measurements.
  • Nanotribology: lateral force microscopy for lateral force measurement.

 

4. Surface analysis techniques

  • Optical techniques based on elastic processes: reflectometry, infra-red reflection and absorption spectroscopy (IR-RAS). Spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). Anisotropic reflection spectroscopy (RAS); polarimetry, optical transmission spectroscopy, ellipsometry with Muller matrix elements, Rayleigh-Mie reflection ellipsometry.
  • Optical techniques based on inelastic processes: Raman spectroscopy and photoluminescence. Principles and specific configurations for the characterization of surfaces and nanostructures (SERS and resonance phenomena).
  • Physicochemical techniques. Photoelectron spectroscopy: X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS); Surface Microscopy: Scanning Auger Microscopy (SAM); Surface analysis techniques at ALBA synchrotron in CIRCE line: NAPP spectroscopy.

Course material

  • course material
  • instrumentation of research laboratory
  • reference work

0.67 ects. Surface Analysis and Science: Laboratory Sessions (B-KUL-H0E28a)

0.67 ECTSEnglishFormat: Practical8 First term
N.
POC Nanowetenschappen en nanotechnologie

Content

  • Raman spectroscopy
  • Photoluminescence
  • X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS)
  • Surface analysis techniques at ALBA synchrotron in CIRCE line: NAPP spectroscopy.

Course material

  • course material
  • instrumentation of research laboratory
  • reference work

Evaluation

Evaluation: Surface Analysis and Science (B-KUL-H2E27a)

Type : Partial or continuous assessment with (final) exam during the examination period
Description of evaluation : Written, Report
Type of questions : Open questions
Learning material : Course material, Computer, Reference work

Explanation


Students are expected to attend all lectures and labs, and actively participate in the discussions.

Grades are based on the following items:

  •     10% of the grade depends on attendance and on interaction of the student during the lectures.
  •     40% of the grade depends on homework assignments and lab reports.
  •     50% of the grade depends on a comprehensive final exam.

A passing grade requires a minimum of 50% of the maximum total grade (100 points).

Information about retaking exams

Students are entitled to a re-evaluation examination as long as the partial marks of each one of the parts of the subject surpass the 3.0 out of 10 and have completed all scheduled activities in the subject.