Materials Science is a highly interdisciplinary field. Chemistry and structure underpin our understanding of the materials synthesis and chemical and physical properties. This course describes current state-of-the-art methods for determining chemical and structural motifs on multiple length scales. This includes characterization of crystalline and non-crystalline bulk materials, surfaces and chemically active/defective site. The course covers the key principles of the characterisation techniques as well as equipment design and operation, sample preparation and data analysis. Techniques covered in the course include:
- X-ray spectroscopies (e.g. XPS, XANES, EXAFS, XES)
- Diffraction/scattering techniques (electron, synchrotron and neutron)
- Microscopy/imaging (TEM, SEM and AFM)
- Thermal analysis (e.g. ITC, TGA,DSC,DTA and TMA)
- Solid state NMR and EPR spectroscopy
- Optical characterisation (Raman, FTIR, fluorescence, luminescence, non-linear optics (SHG and Z-SCAN))
- Analytical methods : chromatography(LC, GC and IC), mass spectrometry (SIMS, ICP, INMS, LCMS), Ion beam analysis (Rutherford backscattering, Elastic Recoil Detection Analysis (ERDA) and Particle-induced X-ray emission (PIX)
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Understand at an advanced and integrated level the working principles of each characterization method.
- Critically analyse complex characterisation techniques to evaluate material science challenges.
- Communicate, verbally and in writing, specialised knowledge of the advantages and limitations of each characterisation method.
- Develop advanced and integrated strategies to critically analyse and synthesise datasets from multiple sources including spectroscopy, spectrometry, diffraction, imaging and mass spectrometry (MS), in order to deduce the 3D structure of materials.
- Demonstrate autonomous ability to critically analyse and evaluate complex chemical and structural information under various light excitation, and understand the mechanism underlying the property.
- Apply expert skills in advanced experimental techniques and specialist knowledge in materials science.
