Physicochemistry of new materials

The objectives of this course are to get understanding of the basic ideas and concepts related to investigations, usage, modifications and devising of physicochemical properties for selected classes of novel organic and inorganic materials.

1.The concept of „nanomaterials”, their classification and basic properties distinguishing them from the so-called volumetric materials.

2.Synthesis methods of nanomaterials (electrochemical and wet-chemistry methods)

- synthesis of nanotubes and nanowires on solid supports.

- synthesis of nanoparticles, nanotubes and nanowires in liquid phase and using polymeric matrices

2.1. Nanostructured metal oxides

2.2. Semiconducting nanocrystals (CdX, X=S, Se)

2.3 Metallic nanoparticles (Au, Pt, Pd and bimetals)

2.4 Synthesis of hybrid nanomaterials such as metal oxide/semiconductor, metal oxide/metallic nanoparticles.

3.Physicochemical characterization of metallic and semiconducting nanomaterials; their applications in catalysis, photo-catalysis, electro-catalysis and photovoltaics.

4. Physicochemistry of single biological molecules: proteins, RNA and DNA.

5.Diatoms as functional biomaterials: investigations and modifications of their optical, mechanical and absorption properties.

6.2D Materials – structure, surface topography, physicochemical properties. Applications of graphene, boron nitride, transition metal dichalcogenides such as MoS2 and others, transition metal oxides such as Ti oxides and perovskites.

7.Selected microscopic methods in investigations and modifications of nanomaterials: AFM, STM, SEM, SEM-EDS, as well as nanolithographic and thermolithographic methods.

1. van Holde KE, Johnson C, Shing Ho P (2005) "Principles of Physical Biochemistry", Prentice Hall. (Book)

2. Garcia, R. Knoll, A.W., Riedo E. (2014). Advanced scanning probe lithography. Nature Nanotechnology, 9(8) 577-587. (paper)

3. Wang, Q. H., Kalantar-Zadeh K., Kis A., Coleman J. N., Strano M. S. (2012). Electronics and optoelectronics of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides. Nature Nanotechnology 7(11) 699-712. (paper)

4. Eaton, P.; West, P., Atomic Force Microscopy. 2nd ed.; Oxford University Press: New York, 2010.

5. Ashok A. Deniz, Samrat Mukhopadhyay and Edward A. Lemke., Single-molecule biophysics: at the interface of biology, physics and chemistry, J. R. Soc. Interface (2008) 5, 15–45.

6. D. Vollath, Nanomaterials. An introduction to Synthesis, Properties and Applications, Wiley-VCH (book)

More literature will be introduced during the course.

The student knows basic properties of nanostructures; understands the relationships between the dimensions of the nanostructures and macroscopic properties of materials composed of such nanostructures. The student knows the reasons behind some catalytic and mechanical properties of nanomaterials; understands the relationships between structure and selected properties of nanomaterials. The student understands theoretical backgrounds and can choose an appropriate experimental technique for investigating given properties of nanomaterials. The student knows and can choose an appropriate modification method of nanomaterials depending on the purpose.The student is familiar with fundamental methods in single-molecule biophysics for investigations of physico-chemical properties of proteins, RNAs and DNAs.

Final grade will be based on a final written exam. Exam will be 1 hour long and contain 4 questions. Time permitting the exam will take place on the last lecture slot in a semester.