The module aims to develop an understanding of the synthesis, characterization, simulation and applications of specific advanced materials in the modern chemical environment.

The course will cover modelling nanoparticles; colloid systems in industry and healthcare; heterogeneous catalysis with nanoparticles and bulk catalysts; and the synthesis and characterisation of these advanced materials.

Knowing(these are things that all students will need to be able to do to pass the module):

• Demonstrate awareness of different methods for synthesising advanced materials
• Describe different techniques that can be for advanced materials characterization
• Explain the influence of the structure on the properties of different advanced materials.
• Understand the benefits and limitations of molecular modelling in probing material properties.
• Demonstrate some appreciation for the important factors in formulating a new colloidal product and understand the functional limitations on materials used for drug delivery compared to alternative applications.

Acting(Performance in this area will enable students to achieve more than a basic pass):

• Identify the key methods for the characterisation of advanced, including their applicability and limitations.
• Understand and predict key properties of materials based on characterisation data.
• Predict the effect different external factors will have on the structure and properties of advanced materials.

Being(Performance in this area will enable students to achieve more than a basic pass):

• Link synthetic methods for advanced materials with their properties and activity for different processes.
• Link desired observables with appropriate simulation methods.
• Design characterization plans to determine key performance indicators for advanced materials.

The module will consist of 10 × 2 hour lectures that will introduce the topics laid out in the syllabus that address the “Knowing” Learning Outcomes, while examples presented will show students how they may also demonstrate their achievement of the “Acting” and “Being” Learning Outcomes.

Students will be expected to supplement these lectures with independent research of texts, specialist reviews and peer-reviewed literature.

Tutorials (4 × 1 h) will be used to supplement the lecture material, go through worked examples, enhance problem-solving skills and develop the skills necessary to achieve the “Acting” and “Being” Learning Outcomes.

Chemistry-specific skills will be focused on applying ideas from fundamental physical and inorganic chemistry to understand how these can be applied to advanced materials for different applications. Students will develop a detailed understanding of how properties of materials can be controlled by tuning the synthesis procedure and how advanced characterisation methods can be used to help derive structure activity relationships. The module will also involve a large element of problem solving.

The module is summatively assessed via in course assessments.

There is no examination for this module.

Colloidal systems: This part of the module will focus on structure-activity relationships in colloidal systems relevant to important applications in industry and healthcare, plus advanced methods used for their characterisation. Topics will include: advanced characterisation techniques, structure activity relationships in surfactants, polymer solutions, polymer particle interactions, polymer surfactant interactions and a case study – colloids in drug delivery.

Synthesis of heterogeneous catalysts: This part of the module will focus on the synthesis of catalysts and supports. It will include case studies of different catalyst systems. Different synthesis methods will be introduced such as sol-gel, hard and soft templating, antisolvent precipitation to prepare bulk catalysts and supports. Methods of preparing supported catalysts will also be covered including impregnation, deposition-precipitation and the use of pre-formed sols.

Modelling nanoparticles:This part of the module will focus on nanoparticles and how they can be modelled. It will include mono and bimetallic nanoparticles, nanoparticle-support interactions and how these modify the structural and electronic properties and how the environment can change the functionality of nanoparticles.