Nanotechnology

Recommended Prerequisites

General Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Chemical Thermodynamics, Introduction to Materials and Characterization, Physical Chemistry of Surfaces.

Teaching Methods

Exposure of theoretical concepts followed by the analysis of application examples. Stimulation of learning by implementing practical lessons for synthesis of nanomaterials and for demonstration of nanotechnologies and nanomaterials characterization techniques. Additionally, the students, organized in groups, develop survey works on topics of the area under study, and present these orally to the class, which is followed by a discussion of the issues. The depth required to address these monographs allows students to study in detail and consolidate parts of the theoretical contents.

Learning Outcomes

This course subject aims to provide the students with the scientific and technological knowledge for the synthesis of nanomaterials and nanostructured materials, as well as to know their potential and different applications, particularly in industry and health. In addition, the characterization techniques of nanomaterials will be addressed.

Students will develop specific skills at the level of preparation of various nanomaterials, through the knowledge gained on various nanotechnologies, and yet developing skills for practical implementation of some of these.

They will also develop the following generic skills through the completion/presentation of a monograph: instrumental (analysis/synthesis, problems solving, oral and written communication, information management), personal (teamwork, critical thinking, communicating with non-specialists in the area) and systemic (adapt to new situations, autonomous learning, application of theoretical knowledge, investigation).

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Introduction to nanotechnology and nanomaterials - Properties and applications. Benefits and risks.

Strategies for manufacturing nanomaterials – Top-down (milling, ultra-precision engineering, etching/lithography) and bottom-up (PVD, CVD, sol-gel, precipitation, microemulsions, electrospinning, hydrothermal method, molecular imprinting, self-assembly, microwave and supercritical fluids-based methods).

Synthesis of nanostructured materials by sol-gel technology - Sol-gel chemistry with silicon alkoxides and metal salts. Stages, physico-chemical mechanisms, influent factors. Properties and applications of aerogles: inorganic, organic and hybrid.

Carbon nanofibers and nanotubes.

Nanobiomaterias and their pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.

Nanotechnology in the pulp and paper industry.

Size distribution/characterization of nanoparticles – microscopic techniques (SEM; TEM; AFM), techniques for liquid suspensions (PCS), techniques for aerosols (CPC, OPC, DMA, etc.). 

Head Lecturer(s)

Luísa Maria Rocha Durães

Assessment Methods

Final assessment
The oral presentation of a monograph and its discussion account: 50.0%
Exam: 50.0%

Continuous assessment
Frequency: 50.0%
Synthesis work: 50.0%

Bibliography

Poole, C.P.; Owens, F.J. Introduction to Nanotechnology. John Wiley and Sons, New Jersey, 2003.

Lyshevski, S.E; Contescu, C.; Putyera, K. (Eds.) Dekker Encyclopedia of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. 2nd Ed., CRC Press, Boca Raton, 2009.

Brinker, C.J.; Scherer, G.W. Sol-Gel Science: The Physics and Chemistry of Sol-Gel Processing. Academic Press, Boston, 1990.

Aegerter, M.A.; Leventis, N.; Koebel, M.M. (Eds.) Aerogels Handbook. Springer, New York, 2011.

Laurencin, C.T.; Nair, L.S. (Eds.) Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering. CRC Press, Boca Raton, 2008.

Byrappa, K.; Ohara, S.; Adschiri, T. Nanoparticles Synthesis Using Supercritical Fluid Technology. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 60, 299-327 (2008).

Gullichsem J.; Paulapuro, H. (Eds.) Papermaking Science And Technology Series. TAPPI, Fapet OY-Helsinki, 2000.

Sigmund, W.; El-Shall, H.; Shah, D.O.; Moudgil, B.M. (Eds.) Particulate Systems in Nano- and Biotechnologies. CRC Press, Boca Raton, 2009.