Surface science for the environment 001-2-4047

3 credits course, Dr. Iris Visoly-Fisher

Spring 2017

Objectives:

Surfaces play a crucial role in many phenomena, in particular in nano-sized materials where surface atoms constitute a large fraction of the particle atoms. The course objectives are therefore to present (1) the basic knowledge of the structure and properties of surfaces and how they affect the properties of materials; (2) surface-specific characterization methods utilized to study surface structure, composition and properties; and (3) examples of applications of surface science phenomena in environmentally-relevant materials and devices.

 

Course description:

Introduction to surface science (lectures 1-5)

Experimental methods in surface studies (lectures 6-8)

Topics and applications of environmental surface science (lectures 9-13)

 

Literature:

  1. Introduction to surface chemistry and catalysis /Gabor A. Samorjai, New York : Wiley,  1994
  2. Physics and chemistry of interfaces /Hans-Jurgen Butt, Karlheinz Graf, Michael Kappl.    Weinheim : Wiley-VCH,  2006
  3. Physical chemistry of surfaces /Arthur W. Adamson and Alice P. Gast    New York : Wiley,  1997 and past editions
  4. Recent relevant journal papers

 

Tentative lecture schedule:

13/3/17 - Introduction, liquid surfaces,

20/3/17 - wetting and contact angles

27/3/17 – Solid surfaces.

3/4/17 – Adsorption.

24/4/17- Electronic and optoelectronic properties of surfaces and interfaces

8/5/17 – Surface structural characterization using scanning probe microscopy (AFM, STM)

15/5/17 - Surface structural characterization using electron microscopy (SEM), Electron and X-ray Diffraction.

22/5/15 – Characterization of surface composition using photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS, AES, SAM)

29/5/17 - Characterization of surface composition using ion and electron spectroscopy (SIMS, EDS).

5/6/17 - Experimental determination of electronic structure.

12/6/17 –tour IKI labs

19/6/17 – Nanoparticles and porous materials, Colloids/ Microemulsions/ micelles.

26/6/17 – Intro to Elecrochemistry for energy conversion and storage.

 

Course requirements:

Homework: 50%. Each week an exercise or relevant journal paper will be presented in class.

Final project (lecture in class + written paper): 50%. To be presented at the 2nd part of the course according to topic.