LEARNING OUTCOMES

Acquisition of the fundamental concepts of analytical chemistry. Basic knowledge of the main sampling methods and sample preparation. Knowledge of instrumental analytical techniques of spectroscopy, chromatography and mass spectrometry.

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 analytical chemistry, the fundamental aspects of sampling and the treatment of an analytical sample, the theoretical and operational aspects of the main spectroscopic, chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques;
2. be able to process analytical data and evaluate them using the main figures of merit and appropriate tests of significance;
3. be able to conduct the most important analytical procedures of sample preparation and analysis in the laboratory;
4. be able to choose the most suitable analytical method for the case study of interest.

TEACHING METHODS

The unit is divided into lectures in the classroom and laboratory exercises.

The lectures include innovative teaching methods and exercises aimed at understand the topics of the program with more detail, in particular the processing of analytical data. The presentations used for the lessons are made available to students on AulaWeb.

The laboratory experiences aim to allow the students to acquire familiarity with the analytical method and with the analytical techniques explained in class.

The attendance at the lessons is not mandatory, although strongly recommended. On the other hand, the attendance at all theoretical and laboratory exercises is mandatory.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Fundamental concepts of analytical chemistry. Analytical method. Nomenclature, experimental errors, signal and noise, accuracy, precision, sensitivity, selectivity, limit of detection and quantification. Tests of significance. Calibration. Interferences in instrumental measurements. Processing of experimental data and calculation of the figures of merit.

Sampling and sample preparation. Sampling and sample representativity. Contamination. Pre-treatment and storage. Physical and chemical methods for sample preparation.

Spectroscopic methods. The electromagnetic radiation. Molecular and atomic absorption and emission. UV-VIS molecular absorption spectroscopy. Atomic absorption spectrometry. Plasma source atomic emission spectroscopy. Plasma source mass spectrometry. Spectroscopic techniques for surface analysis.

Mass spectrometric techniques. General concepts and applications. Types of ion sources and mass analyzers. Analytical characteristics and applications.

Chromatographic methods. Principles of chromatographic separations. High performance liquid chromatography. Gas chromatography.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Grotti and Ardini, “Il laboratorio di chimica analitica”, Edises, 2022
• Holler and Crouch, “Fondamenti di chimica analitica”, Edises, 2016
• Holler, Skoog and Crouch, “Chimica analitica strumentale”, Edises, 2009