Nanotechnologies

Recommended Prerequisites

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

Teaching Methods

Exposition of theoretical concepts followed by the analysis of application examples. Stimulation of learning by implementation of practical classes for synthesis of nanomaterials and demonstration of nanotechnologies and characterization techniques, sometimes in external laboratories. Additionally, the students, organized in groups, develop survey works on topics of the area under study, and present them orally to the class, followed by their discussion. The depth required in these monographs allows students to consolidate and investigate in detail the subjects of the course.

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, communicating with non-specialists in the area) and systemic (adapt to new situations, autonomous learning, investigation).

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Introduction to nanotechnology/nanomaterials: Classification; Properties; Applications; Safety issues.

Strategies for nanomaterials manufacturing:

i) Top-down - milling, ultra-precision engineering, etching/lithography;

ii) Bottom-up - PVD, CVD, sol-gel, precipitation, microemulsions, electrospinning, hydrothermal method, molecular imprinting, self-assembly, microwave and supercritical fluids-based methods.

Synthesis of 3D nanostructures by sol-gel technology: Sol-gel chemistry with metal/mataloid alkoxides and salts; Stages; Variables; Properties and applications of inorganic, organic and hybrid aerogles.

Synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles.

Synthesis of carbon nanostructures.

Nanobiomaterias and their pharmaceutical and biomedical applications: functionalization and bioconjugation.

Nanotechnology in the paper industry.

Characterization of nanoparticles – microscopic techniques (TEM/SEM; AFM), light scatterig techniques (DLS), nanoparticles counters/classifiers (CPC, DMA).

Head Lecturer(s)

Luísa Maria Rocha Durães

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Synthesis work: 40.0%
Frequency: 60.0%

Bibliography

Schwarz, J.A.; Lyshevski, S.E; Contescu, C.I. (Eds.) Dekker Encyclopedia of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. 3rd Ed., CRC Press, Boca Raton, 2014.

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

Pierre, A.C., Introduction to Sol-Gel Processing, 2nd Ed., Springer, 2020.

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

Laurencin, C.T.; Nair, L.S. (Eds.) Nanotechnology and Regenerative Engineering. CRC Press, Boca Raton, 2017.

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, 2019.