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Cursus: SK-BNANO
SK-BNANO
Nanomaterialen
Cursus informatie
CursuscodeSK-BNANO
Studiepunten (EC)7,5
Cursusdoelen
At the end of the course, you will understand the fundamental reasons for the size dependent properties of nanomaterials and will be able to follow the scientific literature in the field. More specifically you will have achieved the following goals:
  • Know the most important classes of nanoporous solids and their main characteristics;
  • Understand how physicochemical properties of gases, liquids and solids are influenced by surface effects and confinement into nanopores;
  • Can propose how to characterize a nanoporous or 3D nanostructured material;
  • Understand how the physical and chemical properties of nanocrystalline semiconductors and metals change as a function of the particle size;
  • Understand how the size, shape and surface of colloidal nanocrystals can be controlled by chemical preparation methods;
  • Are familiar with the (potential) optoelectronic applications of colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals;
  • Understand the thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of nanocolloid self-assembly;
  • Can explain the magnetic and opto-electronic properties of quantum dot superlattices;
  • Know how quantum-dot solids can be characterized, and what their (potential) applications are;
  • Are familiar with the applications of nanoporous materials-based systems for sustainable energy applications, most notable reversible storage of gases
  • Understand the trends in physical chemical properties of metal nanoparticles
  • Know how supported metal nanoparticles with specific characteristics can be prepared
Inhoud
“What are nanomaterials?” As a consequence of the interdisciplinary and highly dynamic nature of the field of Nanosciences the answer to this seemingly simple question has been elusive for years, and only recently scientists agreed on a general definition. In 2011, the European Commission (EC) drafted the following definition for nanomaterial: “a material that consists of particles with one or more external dimensions in the size range 1 nm–100 nm for more than 1% of their number”; and/or “has internal or surface structures in one or more dimensions in the size range 1 nm–100 nm”; and/or “has a specific surface area by volume greater than 60 m2 cm−3, excluding materials consisting of particles with a size lower than 1 nm”.

This definition may sound too elaborated and long but is actually quite simple: the key feature is the nanoscale size! This implies that Nanomaterials encompass a wide variety of different materials and comprise categories such as nanoparticles, thin films and porous materials. More importantly, because of the reduced dimensions (or high surface area) the chemical, optical, magnetic and electronic properties may become very different from those of the corresponding bulk materials. The essential feature of nanomaterials is that their physical and chemical properties are size dependent, making it possible to tune the materials properties by controlling the chemical composition, size, and shape of the nanostructures and the way in which individual building blocks (atoms, molecules or smaller nanostructures) are assembled. For example, an originally stable material may become much more reactive; nanoparticles often have another colour than the bulk material, specific (opto)electronic and magnetic effects may take place. Basically, it is all about controlling material properties, and nanomaterials science provides us the tools to do so with ultimate precision.

World leading research in this field is done within the Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, most notably on catalysis and quantum dots (and also on colloids, depending on their size). The special properties of nanomaterials offer opportunities for all sorts of new applications, e.g. in optics and electronics, catalysis, energy conversion and storage, and biomedical applications.

After a brief introduction to the field, the following topics will be discussed in depth:
•    Metal clusters, porous materials and supported nanoparticles, Nanomaterials for sustainable energy applications (Petra de Jongh - PdJ)
•    Semiconductor and metal nanoparticles (Celso de Mello Donegá - CMD)
•    Self-assembled quantum-dot solids (Daniel Vanmaekelbergh – DV)

This course builds on the knowledge from different level 1 and 2 courses offered in the first and second year of the Chemistry Bachelor program of Utrecht University: Fysische en Anorganische Chemie (sk-bfyan13), Kwantum Chemie en Anorganische Chemie (sk-bkwan), Fysische Chemie 2 (sk-bfych) and Anorganische en Vastestofchemie (sk-banv13). Particularly important concepts are: electronic structure of solids (“band theory”); classical and statistical thermodynamics (free energy, enthalpy, entropy, chemical potential, equilibrium, Boltzmann distribution, density of states, phase diagrams, solubility & miscibility, molecular interactions, adsorption, surfaces and interfaces, interfacial tension).
The knowledge gained in this course offers an excellent basis for the Master Programme “Nanomaterials Science” of Utrecht University.

To make sure each part of the course is equally represented in the final grade (i.e., 1/3 each), the exam grades will be calculated as following (weight for each part is proportional to number of lectures given at time of the exam, MT= mid-term exam; F= final exam): 
Grade(MT) = (PdJMT) 
Grade(F) = (CMDF × 1/2) + (GSF × 1/2)

The mid-term and final exam grades account for 1/3 and 2/3 of the final grade, respectively. This is equivalent to the following:
Final Grade= (PdJMT × 1/3) + (CMDF × 1/3) + (GSF × 1/3)
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