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
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2017-18 Level 7 FHEQ First Semester 7.5

Pre-requisites before taking this module (or general academic requirements):
Either completion of year 3 of an MChem programme or BSc (Hons) in Chemistry  

Aims

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 chemistry tools suitable for in terface and materials characterisation.

Learning Outcomes

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


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lecture -

Tutorial -

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.

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.

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.

Syllabus
1 

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)



Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
Explanation of Reading List:

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 16

   1

     3

8

 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.
  		    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 da
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.
  		 
Private Study 47
TOTAL HOURS 75

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Unseen Written Exam  2 hours  First Semester  80  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 2 There is no reassessment opportunity, Notes (applying to all assessments) Extended Problems. This work is not marked anonymously.  
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Coursework  3 hours  First Semester  20  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 1 There is no reassessment opportunity,