Course: Functionalization of nanomaterials

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Course title Functionalization of nanomaterials
Course code KCH/FCN
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Lesson
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Summer
Number of ECTS credits 6
Language of instruction Czech, English
Status of course Compulsory, Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements Course does not contain work placement
Recommended optional programme components None
Course availability The course is available to visiting students
Lecturer(s)
  • Torres Rafael, Dr.
  • Řezanka Michal, doc. RNDr. Ph.D.
Course content
1 Thinking back about the functionalization concept and how to get profit from it. Introduction. Review about the concept of functionalization. Methods of functionalization. 2 Cont. Review about the classes of functionalization: Thiol/Aminothiol, bio-functionalization, asymmetric groups, polymers in functionalization. 3 The physics behind stable colloids. The role of stability towards applications: DLVO theory, the reason to use surfactants as functionalization agents, and how to stabilize nanomaterials without the use of surfactants 4 Cont. Zeta potential, one way to measure the hydrodynamic stability of nanomaterials. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and the measurement of hydrodynamic particle size. The role of velocity while measuring the size of a nanoparticle and how to tell if a nanoparticle is functionalized using DLS 5 PLAL, a unique technique for functionalization. Introduction to Pulsed Laser Ablation in Liquids (PLAL) a one-step synthesis and functionalization technique developed by a Czech-German research team. The twelve principles of green chemistry and why it is crucial to consider clean alternatives. Laser radiation; a tool to dissociate macro-metric systems and build nano-metric systems. Relationship between pulsed laser radiation and the electronic relaxation time 6 Cont. PLAL driven in media with functionalization agents. Step-by-step synthesis of nanoparticles and how the functionalization elements interact with the recently created particles. The use of PLAL for different solid materials. The importance of solutes during the synthesis process and when the solutes act as functionalization agents. The importance of solvents in the synthesis process and their role in the crystallinity of materials. 7 Reporting results about functionalization in real scientific journals. Discussion about specific techniques used nowadays to study the functionalization degree of nanomaterials. Introduction to high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and how to use the technique to recognize a correct functionalization. Review of DLS technique, how to use it to recognize a correct functionalization and the intimate relationship of nanomaterial velocity and their degree of functionalization. Introduction to ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), how to use the technique to recognize a correct functionalization, the sigmoidal curve, and how to calculate the exact number of molecules needed to functionalize a finite number of nanoparticles. 8 Cont. Introduction to Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman Spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), inductive coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) and their importance in the functionalization of nanomaterials field. 9 Cont. Guidelines of an actual scientific journal and how to prepare HR-TEM, EDS, EDS mapping, DLS UV-Vis, FT-IR, Raman, NMR, XPS, and ICP-MS graphs that exhibit the functionalization degree of a wide range of nanomaterials. 10 Functionalization in real cases. In Situ Bioconjugation: Single Step Approach to Tailored Nanoparticle-Bioconjugates by Ultrashort Pulsed Laser Ablation. The use of TEM, DLS, UV-Vis, and XPS to understand why biomolecules can functionalize laser-synthesized nanoparticles. 11 Cont. Gold Nanoparticle-Enabled Blood Test for Early Stage Cancer Detection and Risk Assessment. Gold nanoparticles, their exploitation as bio-sensors, and why it is crucial to functionalize them with antibodies. The role of plasmonic nanoparticles functionalized with biomolecules to sense antigens. 12 Cont. Protein corona. The role of human immunoglobulin G to detect tumor-specific antigens. 13 Cont. A general overview of functionalization applied on polymers, textiles, ceramics, and metals. 14 Cont. A general overview of functionalization in photovoltaics, optoelectronics, drugs and medicinal approaches, catalysis, and sorption.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monological explanation (lecture, presentation,briefing), Self-study (text study, reading, problematic tasks, practical tasks, experiments, research, written assignments), Written assignment presentation and defence
  • Presentation preparation (report in a foreign language) - 24 hours per semester
  • Preparation for exam - 50 hours per semester
  • Home preparation for classes - 10 hours per semester
  • Class attendance - 56 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
The course provides an in-depth perspective of the phenomena behind functionalization, an introduction to photon and electron-based techniques that are currently used to assess the functionalization degree achieved in different materials, and finally, we are studying different real cases where functionalization of nanomaterials is exploited to get a useful application. The course is roughly divided into five sections: Thinking back about the functionalization concept and how to get profit from it, the physics behind stable colloids, PLAL; a unique technique for functionalization, reporting results about functionalization in real scientific journals, functionalization in practical cases. The course is designed to familiarize students with the concepts that are conventionally discussed in the research field from a physicochemical perspective and how the field is evolving. Each student is expected to understand most of the material presented in the course and in the assigned readings. Students completing this course should have an in-depth understanding of the functionalization phenomenon and how to present functionalization-related results in real scientific journals.
Students completing this course should have an in-depth understanding of the functionalization phenomenon and how to present functionalization-related results in real scientific journals.
Prerequisites
It is advised that the students interested in this course have already taken the course: KCH/UFN Introduction to functionalization of nanomaterials.

Assessment methods and criteria
Oral exam, Essay, Oral presentation of self-study

Grades are going to be based on the following assignments: Essay on a relevant topic: 45 % Oral exam on the essay's topic: 45 % Homework (depends on the evolution of the course): 10 % Essay: The student will be asked to prepare an essay in the format of a letter. The essay's language will be English (the English skills are not going to be scored). The essay should be about one innovative or currently relevant topic related to the functionalization of nanomaterials. It is expected that the essay reflects the student's domine of the concepts learned in the course. The essay should have a maximum of 6 pages, excluding title, abstract, and references, and a minimum of 5 pages. The guidelines required for the essay can be found in the link: https://aip.scitation.org/apm/authors/manuscript The due date for presenting the essay is no longer than 5 days after the last class. Oral exam: The student will be asked to prepare a presentation about the essay. The presentation's language will be English (it is not mandatory to have a perfect pronunciation). The student will have 15 minutes to talk about his/her topic, and afterward, the lecturer will have 10 minutes to ask questions about the topic. The exam will take place after the student submits the essay. The specific date will be arranged with the lecturer within the examination period established by the university. Homework: The student could be required to complete an exercise not finished in class or read a research paper that will be discussed in class. Attendance and Decorum: Punctual attendance at all the lectures is expected. Missed lecture sessions cannot be made up. Academic Honesty: It is expected that the students prepare their corresponding essay, presentation, and homework by themselves.
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