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CODE 118318
ACADEMIC YEAR 2025/2026
CREDITS
SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINARY SECTOR CHIM/02
LANGUAGE English
TEACHING LOCATION
  • GENOVA
SEMESTER 2° Semester

OVERVIEW

The class introduces the fundamental physico-chemical mechanisms that govern the properties of confined materials.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This class aims to provide knowledge of the physical foundations necessary to understand the properties of confined materials and the chemical methods for their preparation

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The class aims to provide students with the methodological tools and terminology necessary to understand the physical principles and chemistry of confined structures.
At the end of the proposed learning path, students will have acquired:

  • knowledge of the main physical principles and descriptors of confined structures at an elementary/intermediate level, including basic concepts of band structures in bulk solids;
  • knowledge of and the ability to identify the most appropriate chemical synthesis methods for confined structures, as well as the most suitable characterization techniques.

PREREQUISITES

Basic knowledge of inorganic and physical chemistry. Basics of quantum chemistry would be a plus.

TEACHING METHODS

The course consists of 48 hours frontal teaching (in English) held from the two professors.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Fundamental physical aspects of nanostructures

  • Basics of crystallographic structures and notations
  • Length Scales
  • Types of Nanostructures
  • Basics of Light Absorption and Emission Processes
  • Basics of Quantum Chemistry
  • Model Quantum Mechanics Problems
  • Density of States
  • Bands in solids
  • Time-Dependent Perturbation Theory
  • Inter-band Transitions

 

Synthesis and characterization

  • Synthetic methods for confined (nano)materials (Top – down and bottom – up methods)
  • Optical characterization (absorption, photoluminescence, lifetime, etc) and structural characterization applied to confined materials (XRD, TEM, etc)

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All slides will be available in Aulaweb starting from the day of corresponding lesson. This material will be sufficient for exam preparation.

The following books are suggested as focus texts:

  • G. Konstantatos and E.H. Sargent, Colloidal Quantum Dot Optoelectronics and Photovoltaics, Cambridge University Press, 2013.
  • M. Kuno, Introductory Nanoscience, Garland Science, 2012.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

See https://corsi.unige.it/en/corsi/11967/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of an oral examination lasting approximately 40 minutes, aimed at assessing the student’s understanding of the topics covered during the course.
Students with a valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances related to lectures, coursework, or exams should follow the instructions available at

https://corsi.unige.it/corsi/11967/studenti-disabilita-dsa.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral examination will consist of questions focusing on the topics covered in the lessons. The Exam Commission is composed of two tenured professors. The achievement of the course’s educational objectives will be assessed based on

a) the candidate’s acquisition of the fundamental knowledge required for a proper understanding of the topics included in the syllabus

b) the candidate's ability to navigate rationally within the subject area, including the appropriate use of connections between different topics

c) the candidate’s ability to critically analyse issues related to the production and characterization of the materials discussed during the course.