CHEM 649/749: Nanoscience: Chemistry and Physics of Low-Dimensional Materials -- Returning Fall 2025!!
Nanoscience (making, studying, and using structures with dimensions of a few nanometers) is exciting because many properties of semiconducting, metallic, and electrochemical systems change from bulk behavior in this size regime, even though it is large compared to chemical bond lengths. This is clearly seen in the case of quantum dots, whose synthesis earned the 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. This special topics in physical chemistry course will begin by identifying characteristic length scales that determine the electronic and optical properties of materials through discussion of band structure, effective mass, charge carriers, and conductivity in metals and semiconductors. We will then explore: Size-dependence of electronic and optical properties of materials, including quantum confinement; the electrochemical double layer and properties of colloidal solutions; and synthetic routes to nanostructures with control of shape and composition. These concepts will enable students to understand and innovate in many areas of nanoscience and materials science. The second half of the course includes student-led discussions of current literature. Examples of applications in biomedical imaging, solar cells, and energy conversion and storage will be discussed. This course is cross-listed as Chem 649 for undergraduates who have completed Chem 541 and 542.