Nanomaterials

Students get to know the meaning of the “nano” in correlation to materials – they understand the meaning of their size in comparison to bulk materials, atoms and molecules. They learn about specific phsyco-chemical properties of nanomaterials and related applications. They learn basic physical techniques and chemical synthesis methods for the preparation of nanomaterials, and basic procedures for surface functionalization and coating of nanomaterials. They get an insight into characterization methods for nanomaterials. They learn basics of colloidal chemistry in correlation to interparticle interactions. This knowledge is further upgraded with the knowledge on the assembly of nanoparticles into complex materials. They are acquainted with safety issues of handling with nanomaterials, specifically with nanoparticles, and their potential toxicity.

1. Definition of nanomaterials
2. Effects on the electronic, optical, magnetic and chemical properties of nanostructured materials due to the reduced material size.
3. Fabrication of nanomaterials (nanoparticles, thin films, complex nanostructures) with physical techniques (lithography, pulsed laser deposition, electron beam epitaxy, chemical vapour deposition)
4. Chemical synthesis (coprecipitation, sol-gel, thermal decomposition of organo-metallic compounds, hydrothermal, sonochemical and microwave synthesis) of nanomaterials (nanoparticles, thin films)
5. Functionalization and coating of nanomaterials’ surfaces
6. Characterization of nanomaterials (issues related to the nano size)
7. Interactions between nanoparticles with basics of colloidal chemistry

Understanding of the meaning of the expression nanomaterials in comparison to bulk materials, atoms and molecules
Understanding of the physico-chemical properties of nanomaterials in comparison to bulk materials, atoms and molecules
Basic knowledge on physical and chemical procedures for the fabrication and synthesis of nanomaterials
Knowledge of basic surface functionalization and coating procedures for nanomaterials
Knowledge of the characterization methods of nanomaterials, the limitations related to their size and interpretation of the results
Knowledge on interparticle interactions and assembly of nanoparticles into complex structures/materials
Insight in the potential applications of nanomaterials
Insight in the safety issues related to handling with nanomaterials, especially with nanoparticles, and their potential toxicity

• seminar work
• participation in laboratory work
• oral exam

Prof. dr. Darja Lisjak:

Redna profesorica za področje nanoznanosti na Mednarodni podiplomski šoli IJS
Full Professor of Nanosciences at Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School

Izbrane objave / Selected publications:
1. LISJAK, Darja, PLOHL, Olivija, PONIKVAR-SVET, Maja, MAJARON, Boris. Dissolution of upconverting fluoride nanoparticles in aqueous suspensions. RSC Adv., 2015, 5, 27393-27397.
2. LISJAK, Darja, OVTAR, Simona, KOVAČ, Janez, GREGORATTI, Luca, ALEMAN, Belen, AMATI, Matteo, FANETTI, Mattia, MAKOVEC, Darko. A surface-chemistry study of barium ferrite nanoplates with DBSa-modified surfaces. Appl. Surf. Sci., 2014, 305, 366-374.
3. LISJAK, Darja, JENUŠ, Petra, MERTELJ, Alenka. The influence of the morphology of ferrite nanoparticles on the directed assembly into magnetically anisotropic hierarchical structures. Langmuir, 2014, 30, 6588-6595.
4. MERTELJ, Alenka, LISJAK, Darja, DROFENIK, Mihael, ČOPIČ, Martin. Ferromagnetism in suspensions of magnetic platelets in liquid crystal. Nature, 2013, 504, 237-241.
5. LISJAK, Darja, DROFENIK, Mihael. Chemical substitution - an alternative strategy for controlling the particle size of barium ferrite. Cryst. Growth Design, 2012, vol. 12, 5174-5179.
6. LISJAK, Darja, OVTAR, Simona. Directed assembly of BaFe12O19 particles and the formation of magnetically oriented films. Langmuir, 2011, 27, 14014-14024.