Learning outcomes expected at the level of the course (4 to 10 learning outcomes) |
After the course students will be able to:
- Describe the structure of metallic surfaces
- Define crystalline systems
- Determine the symmetry of unit cell
- Describe the crystal plane using Miller indices and derive the plane spacing
- Conduct complex experiments in the laboratory and interpret collected data and results of measurement
- Change the properties of the surface by conducting experiments |
Course content broken down in detail by weekly class schedule (syllabus) |
Structure of Metallic Surfaces, Adsorption of Molecules on Surfaces, The Langmuir Isotherm, Surface Analytical Techniques, Overlayer Structures & Surface Diffraction; Surface Imaging & Depth Profiling
Lectures:
1. The structure of metal surfaces. Unit cell. Crystal systems
2. Symmetry. Symmetry of the unit cell.
3. Lattice planes and Miler indices. The distance between the planes. X-ray diffraction from crystals.
4. Inorganic crystal structures. Hexagonal close packing. Cubic dense packing.
5. ccp, fcc, bcc; Positional coordinates, Bond lengths, sizes of interstitials.
6. The structure of the surface of fcc metals. The structure of the surface hcp metals.
7. Energy of solid surfaces. Relaxation and reconstruction of the surfaces.
8. Molecular adsorption. The curve of potential energy - energy of adsorption.
9. Nucleation, formation and growth of new phase
10. Langmuir adsorption isotherm, ultrahigh vacuum.
11. Methods of preparation and characterization of surfaces I.
12. Methods of preparation and characterization of surfaces II.
Seminars:
1. Unit cell. Calculations with unit cells
2. Miler indices. Drawing surfaces if Miler indices are known. Determination the Miler indices for a known plane.
3. Positional coordinates. Calculate the length of the bond.
4. The structure of the surface of hcp metals
5. Molecular adsorption. Adsorption kinetics.
6. 2D and 3D nucleation. Determination of the number of nuclei.
Laboratory exercises:
1. Development of electrodes for electrochemical measurements
2. Determination of the real surface area of the electrode - assessment criteria or reversibility of reaction of Fe2 + / Fe3 + at different electrodes.
3. Determination of the real surface area of the electrode - estimation by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
4. Potentiostatic formation of oxide / hydroxide film on the electrodes of the magnesium in borate electrolyte with mathematical analysis.
5. Analysis of potentiostatic transients for 2D and 3D nucleation. |
