Module Details |
| The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module. |
| Title | Advanced Spectroscopy (C OPTION) | ||
| Code | CHEM451 | ||
| Coordinator |
Dr H Arnolds Chemistry Heike.Arnolds@liverpool.ac.uk |
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| Year | CATS Level | Semester | CATS Value |
| Session 2014-15 | M Level | First Semester | 7.5 |
Aims |
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This is an advanced module that aims to introduce the student to modern spectroscopic techniques and their applications in materials characterisation. Emphasis is given to those techniques, which are currently most important to chemical research both in industry and academia. The students should be able to understand the basic physical principles of these techniques and to decide which combination of techniques is best employed to tackle a particular problem of materials characterisation. The module will deal in-depth with - vibrational spectroscopies (infrared reflection absorption, attenuated total internal reflection and surface enhanced Raman) and their application to the study of molecules at surfaces relevant to materials characterisation, heterogeneous catalysis and nanoscience; - electronic spectroscopies (X-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, Auger, energy dispersive Xray spectroscopy) and their application to determine the chemical composition of interfaces. The module will also cover a range of other analytical chemistr
y tools suitable for interface and materials characterisation. |
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Learning Outcomes |
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By the end of the module, successful students should have gained an in-depth understanding of a range of advanced spectroscopies and be able to explain the physical principles of these spectroscopies, analyse spectra and be able to discuss their suitability to address certain problems of materials characterisation. In particular, successful students should be able to: - Explain surface vibrational spectroscopy (infrared absorption and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy), interpret spectra and apply selection rules to determine the orientation of molecules at surfaces. - Explain electronic spectroscopies (photoelectron, Auger, energy dispersive Xray spectroscopy), interpret spectra and deduce surface chemical composition based on quantitative and qualitative analysis - Critically compare different methods of spectroscopy and their suitability to tackle a particular problem in materials characterisation - Critically evaluate the use of spectroscopy to support scientific conclusions based on literature |
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Syllabus |
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1. Vibrational Spectroscopies (6 lectures) - infrared spectroscopy (3 lectures) - surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (3 lectures) 2. Electronic spectroscopies (6 lectures) - photoelectron spectroscopies (XPS and UPS) (4 lectures) - Auger and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (2 lectures) 3. Supporting techniques (2 lectures) - quartz crystal microbalance - ellipsometry - surface plasmon resonance 4. Critical Evaluation of Spectroscopy Literature (2 lectures) |
Teaching and Learning Strategies |
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Tutorial work |
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Workshop on spectral analysis |
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Lectures |
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This module consists of 16 50-minute lectures to be given in the first semester. The first part of two lectures will be student-driven ("muddy points") to enhance understanding of the material covered in lectures. Two lectures are devoted to critical analysis of scientific literature (relating to spectroscopy problems), where students read two short papers before the lecture (guided by short questions) and the papers are refereed during the lecture. There will be one small-group tutorial to show students how lecture material connects to assessment problems, with general feedback given to the whole class during a lecture following the tutorial. One whole-class workshop on spectral analysis will help students make the connection between lecture material and real data analysis to support their 4th year project. One set of questions will be set and assessed during the semester to count 20% of the final mark, to assess fundamental understanding as well as problem solving. Students should expect to spend at about 50 hours in private study related to this module. The module is backed-up by handouts and electronic resources on Vital (electronic version of handouts, links to e-books and videos on using software, short quizzes). |
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Teaching Schedule |
| Lectures | Seminars | Tutorials | Lab Practicals | Fieldwork Placement | Other | TOTAL | |
| Study Hours |
16 |
1 The students will solve assessment-style questions before the tutorial. Solutions and common mistakes will be discussed during the tutorial and general feedback given to the whole class. |
3 Workshop- Workshop on spectral analysis to bridge the gap between assessment-style and real-world problems - the students will use CasaXPS (the standard software for analysing XPS spectra) to analyse a given data set and solve a scientific problem, e.g. "Determine the thickness and chemical state of a silane coating and its dependence on surface pretreatment". This will reinforce physical principles taught in lectures,as well as raise awareness of common problems in spectral analysis such as calibration, noise, overlapping peaks, resolution. 8 Assessment- The assessment consists of a two hour exam and course work, which the students should be able to complete in 3 hours. The assessment problems are a mixture of bookwork and unseen problems. |
28 | |||
| Timetable (if known) |
The students will solve assessment-style questions before the tutorial. Solutions and common mistakes will be discussed during the tutorial and general feedback given to the whole class.
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| Private Study | 47 | ||||||
| TOTAL HOURS | 75 | ||||||
Assessment |
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| EXAM | Duration | Timing (Semester) |
% of final mark |
Resit/resubmission opportunity |
Penalty for late submission |
Notes |
| Unseen | 2 hours | First Semester | 80 | No reassessment opportunity | Standard UoL penalty applies | |
| CONTINUOUS | Duration | Timing (Semester) |
% of final mark |
Resit/resubmission opportunity |
Penalty for late submission |
Notes |
| TBC | 3 hours | First Semester | 20 | No reassessment opportunity | Standard UoL penalty applies | Extended Problems. This work is not marked anonymously. |
Recommended Texts |
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