OVERVIEW

The course is aimed at introducing the students to the modern analytical chemistry, providing basic theoretical and operational information on instrumental analysis by spectroscopy, electrochemistry, chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Basic theoretical knowledge of the main spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. Practical knowledge of the preparation of samples and their analysis using these instrumental techniques. Development of the ability to conduct an analytical method, carry out experiments in groups and write reports on the results obtained.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Participation in the proposed activities (lectures, classroom and laboratory exercises) and individual study will allow the student to:
1) understand the basic concepts of instrumental analytical chemistry and the theoretical and operational aspects of the main spectroscopic and electroanalytical techniques.
2) process analytical data (from the measurement of the analytical signal to the final results) and to calculate the main figures of merit of the analytical methods.
3) conduct simple analytical procedures of sample preparation and analysis using spectroscopic and electroanalytical techniques.
4) communicate the results of an instrumental analysis through a written report.

PREREQUISITES

Analytical chemistry 1

TEACHING METHODS

The unit is divided into lectures in which the theoretical concepts relating to the instrumental analytical techniques are presented and various application examples are analysed (40 hours), participatory teaching activities (6 hours), and laboratory exercises carried out in groups (20 hours). In their personal work, the students will have to acquire the theoretical knowledge of the instrumental techniques, process the data obtained during the laboratory exercises by using a specific form, and practice processing analytical data and calculating the analytical figures of merit. Personal study is supported by specific teaching material on AulaWeb.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

General concepts. Signal and noise. Detection and quantification limits. Calibration (external calibration, standard addition method, internal standard method). Sensitivity and selectivity. Interference in instrumental measurements. Data processing from the acquisition of the analytical signal to the final results. Calculation of the figures of merit.

Spectroscopic methods. The electromagnetic radiation. Molecular and atomic absorption. Molecular and atomic emission. Absorption and emission spectra. The Lambert-Beer law. UV-VIS molecular absorption spectroscopy: principle, instrumentation, analytical performances and applications. Molecular fluorescence spectroscopy. Flame atomic absorption spectrometry: principle, instrumentation, interferences, analytical features and applications. Plasma source atomic emission spectrometry: principle, instrumentation, interferences, analytical features and applications. Main aspects of ETAAS and ICP-MS techniques.

Electroanalytical methods. Introduction to electroanalytical methods and their classification. Potentiometry: reference electrodes, metal indicator electrodes, membrane electrode. Direct potentiometric measurements. Potentiometric titrations. Voltammetric methods: notes on the electrode-solution interface processes. Instrumentation for voltammetric measurements. Polarography. Anodic stripping voltammetry.

Laboratory work. Determination of manganese in steel by UV-VIS spectrophotometry; copper determination in aqueous solution by FAAS; multielemental analysis of a sediment sample by ICP-AES; potentiometric titration of a strong acid with a strong base; potentiometric titration of a mixture of iodides and chlorides; determination of vitamin C in a fruit juice by differential pulse polarography.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Grotti / Ardini, IL LABORATORIO DI CHIMICA ANALITICA, EDISES 2022

Holler / Crouch, FONDAMENTI DI CHIMICA ANALITICA, EDISES 2016

Holler / Skoog / Crouch, CHIMICA ANALITICA STRUMENTALE, EDISES 2009

Harris, CHIMICA ANALITICA QUANTITATIVA, ZANICHELLI 2017

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

September 29th, 2025 according to the schedule reported here.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

See main unit record (code 65118)

ASSESSMENT METHODS

See main unit record (code 65118)

FURTHER INFORMATION

Mandatory attendance: laboratory work and related explanatory lessons

Compensatory and dispensatory measures Disability/Invalidity/Specific Learning Disorder

Dispensatory measures and compensatory tools are intended to enable students to achieve the same learning objectives as their fellow students, not to facilitate the examination.

The use of compensatory tools and the application of dispensatory measures must be authorised in advance by the teacher in agreement with the Referee.

To take advantage of the adaptations during the examination, fill in the Adaptation request form; the request will be automatically sent by the system to the teacher in charge of the teaching, to the Contact Person of your School/Area/Department and in copy to the Sector; you will also receive a copy of the request sent by e-mail.

The adjustments available to students are as follows:

• Additional time (+30% DSA)
• Additional time (+50% disability/invalidity)
• Additional time during oral exams to organise the answer
• Calculator (programmable and graphing calculators are not allowed)
• Conceptual Maps
• Tables and/or Forms
• Take the exam in written form
• Take the exam in oral form
• Tutor reader (for written tests only)
• Tutor-writer (for written tests only)

Your request for adaptations must be submitted at least 7 working days before the scheduled exam date.

All information for students with disabilities and DSA is available on the webpage: Services for students with disabilities or DSA | UniGe | University of Genoa

Reference for inclusion: Sergio Di Domizio - sergio.didomizio@unige.it