Material surface characterisation

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

At the end of the course, the student will be able to:

-       Rephrase the physical principle of each characterization technique under study, by relating instrumental aspects to performances of the technique;

-       Interpret data obtained by these different techniques, taking into account the physical meaning of the results and limitations of each technique;

-       Justify the choice of one or several of these techniques in the frame of a given application in (bio)engineering (materials, catalysis, nano- and biotechnologies);

-       Evaluate the relevance and significance of scientific papers related to surface characterization by one of these techniques.

More particularly, the student will have developed the ability to:

Part A:

-       Interpret qualitatively and quantitatively XPS data obtained in a given context;

-       Model XPS results in the case of heterogeneous samples.

Part B:

-       Calculate the specific area of a material based on its adsorption-desorption isotherms (physisorption) , by making adequate use of the BET and t-plot models and concepts;

-       Describe the porosity of a material, both qualitatively (nature and shape of pores) and quantitatively (size and distribution of pore size), based on adsorption-desorption isotherms (physisorption) characteristics and their possible hysteresis by making use of Conway-Pierce, Dubinin-Raduskevich and t-plot models and concepts.

Part C:

-       Distinguish and compare different imaging and spectroscopic modes in scanning probe microscopy, and interpret obtained images and spectra;

-       Choose the adequate imaging mode in a given practical application, by determining the sample characteristics to be quantified.