Techniques for Materials Analysis

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

Topics will be presented in the form of seminars on various experimental techniques, by the teacher or by invited experts, using slides, videos or practical demonstrations. The learning is done, above all, in a scientific laboratory context, where the students will have to carry out a set of practical works. The work will be done in the TAIL-UC laboratory located in the Department of Physics, where most of the analytical techniques are available, as well as in other research laboratories of the Departments of Physics, Chemistry, Pharmacy or Geology of the UC.

Learning Outcomes

Provide an introduction to the principles and practice of diffraction (Single Crystal and Powder XRD) including non-crystalline diffraction to allow the study of the structure of liquids, glasses, and most importantly polymers and bio-molecules.
Provide the basics of other techniques including instrumentation, samples preparation and the applicability of these techniques in order to provide the essential groundwork for select and ranking them. Other techniques in the course include microscopy, spectroscopy and thermal analysis.
Provide practical experience in laboratory methods and reporting.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Fundamental theory, basic operation, and application of X‐ray diffraction methods as the most effective methods for determining the crystal structure of materials.

Scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Basic working principles and features: topographic and compositional images. Study of the interaction between the high energy electron probe and the specimen for understanding the mechanisms of contrast formation.

Introduction to both X‐ray fluorescence spectrometers and microanalyzers in electron microscopes. Brief introduction of the methods of quantitative analysis by XRF and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) in electron microscopes (EM).

Mössbauer spectroscopy.

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman microscopy. Overview of the methods for vibrational spectrum interpretations.

Thermal analysis techniques for materials characterization: thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis and differential scanning calorimetry.

Magnetometry DC and AC.

Head Lecturer(s)

Maria Benilde Faria de Oliveira e Costa

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Mini Tests: 30.0%
Laboratory work or Field work: 70.0%

Bibliography

Materials Characterization: Introduction to Microscopic and Spectroscopic Methods, Yang Leng, 2008, ISBN:9780470822982.

Physical Methods for Materials Characterisation, Peter E. J. Flewitt, Robert K. Wild, 2017, CRC Press, ISBN-10: 148224523X

Elements of Modern X-Ray Physics, J. Als-Nielsen, D. McMorrow, 2011, Wiley. ISBN: 0470973943

Bioinspired Materials for Medical Applications, Edited by Lígia Rodrigues and Manuel Mota, 2017, Woodhead Publishing Series in Biomaterials, ISBN 978-0-08-100741-9

Apontamentos do professor.