Electroanalysis, Sensors and Quality By Design
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
This course will enable the student to acquire advanced knowledge and skills regarding electroanalytical as well as sensor techniques, instrumentation and procedures employed in chemical research laboratories, in analysis and quality control laboratories as well as in industrial and environmental monitoring. Experience will also be gained in the design (through the experimental design, in the context of Quality by Design) and in the subsequent development of analytical chemistry methodologies for various applications such as the analysis of matrices of various nature, the study of functional molecules and materials, environmental protection, as well as life sciences. In this context, the student: · will acquire the theoretical-practical foundations of electroanalytical techniques (conductometric, potentiometric, voltammetric, amperometric, impedimetric, spectroelectrochemical ones) as well as for the production of sensors (electrochemical, field-effect, optical, piezoelectric, thermal ones) · will acquire the principles of good laboratory practice and quality management and control, as well as the main rules concerning the validation of analytical methodologies and protocols; · will be able to discuss the analytical results also on the basis of the statistical analysis of the results, through chemometric techniques; · will develop teamwork skills, dividing tasks and responsibilities; · will work in the laboratory according to safety regulations; · will be able to compare different methods in order to choose the most appropriate one in relation to the sample to be analysed; · will respect the protocols and calendars established for laboratory activities.
Expected learning outcomes
- Develop an in-depth, extensive knowledge of principles, protocols and applications of electroanalytical and sensor techniques, also experimenting with a selection of them in the laboratory.
- Acquire detailed specific knowledge regarding the characteristics and functioning of complex electroanalytical and sensor instrumentation in use in chemical analysis and quality control laboratories, for the characterization of different complex matrices and for the identification of pollutants or analytes of high interest (in the food, biomedical, environmental fields) even present at trace level.
- Formulate analytical protocols and employ statistical and IT methods for Quality Control, Experimental Design and Chemometric techniques.
- Compare different methods in order to choose the most appropriate one in relationship to the sample to be analysed.
- Acquire detailed specific knowledge regarding the characteristics and functioning of complex electroanalytical and sensor instrumentation in use in chemical analysis and quality control laboratories, for the characterization of different complex matrices and for the identification of pollutants or analytes of high interest (in the food, biomedical, environmental fields) even present at trace level.
- Formulate analytical protocols and employ statistical and IT methods for Quality Control, Experimental Design and Chemometric techniques.
- Compare different methods in order to choose the most appropriate one in relationship to the sample to be analysed.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Lectures (6 CFU)
Statistics and validation of analytical methods. Characterizing factors of an analytical method: calibration, sensitivity, limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ), linearity (residues and R2), selectivity and specificity, robustness and system suitability testing, temporal factors, accuracy (trueness + precision).
Principles of quality control. Quality control of chemical products and processes. The seven classic tools for quality control: Flow Charts, Control Charts, Scatter Plots, Cause-Effect Diagrams (Ishikawa),
Pareto Charts, Histograms, Check Sheets. Notes on the ISO 9001 Standard for Quality Control.
Advanced treatment of conductimetry: physico-chemical background, instrumentation details, regulations, operational protocols and related issues, applications for liquid and solid samples. Notes on conducting polymers, ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents.
Advanced treatment of potentiometry: physico-chemical background, instrumentation details, regulations, operational protocols and related issues, applications for aqueous and non-aqueous solutions; electrode typologies.
Advanced treatment of voltammetry: physico-chemical background, instrumentation details, operational protocols and related issues, discussion of a variety of cases of interest in inorganic/organic/ metallorganic chemistry, and/or in fields like advanced materials (including conducting polymers), catalysis, energetics, environment. Enantioselective voltammetry. High sensitivity and low detection limits voltammetries (pulsed and stripping). Introduction to Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM).
Amperometry. Coulometry. Chronoamperometry. Chronopotentiometry.
Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS)
Spectroelectrochemical Techniques.
Hints to electroanalytical applications of bipolar electrochemistry and of electrochemistry at liquid-liquid interfaces. Hints to single-entìty electrochemistry.
Sensors and biosensors: definitions, physico-chemical background, enzymatic sensors, affinity sensors, nucleic acid-based sensors, use of nanomaterials for sensors. Types of sensors: thermochemical, potentiometric, semiconductor-based, chemoresistive, amperometric, conductimetric and impedimetric, piezometric, acoustic and optical.
.
Design of analysis and treatment of analytical data in a Quality by Design (QbD) perspective. Principles of design of experiment (DoE). Statistical thinking for the resolution of analytical problems. Use of the JMP Program.
Principles of chemometrics and multivariate analysis. Principal component analysis (PCA). Cluster analysis. Classification. Regression methods: ordinary and non-ordinary. Artificial neural networks and the use of artificial intelligence in analytical chemistry. Use of the R program. Multivariate analysis for sensors.
During the lessons, discussion of applications for the advanced characterization of inorganic and organic materials
or of interest in the environmental, energy, pharmaceutical, food and quality control fields.
PC exercises (0.75 CFU)
Within the Quality by Design approach, the application of experimental design will be discussed in order to optimize experimental parameters (some of which will be used in the chemical laboratory). For this purpose, exercises will be done on PC with the aid of the JMP program. The concepts of Quality Control will be applied, using the EXCEL Program or other programs suitable for the purpose. Software (e.g. CAT) will be presented and used for the use of chemometric techniques of multivariate analysis.
Laboratory experiments (2.25 CFU)
Laboratory experiments with a selection of electroanalytical and sensor techniques and applicative cases among those discussed in the lectures, also employing Excel spreadsheets for experimental data processing.
Statistics and validation of analytical methods. Characterizing factors of an analytical method: calibration, sensitivity, limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ), linearity (residues and R2), selectivity and specificity, robustness and system suitability testing, temporal factors, accuracy (trueness + precision).
Principles of quality control. Quality control of chemical products and processes. The seven classic tools for quality control: Flow Charts, Control Charts, Scatter Plots, Cause-Effect Diagrams (Ishikawa),
Pareto Charts, Histograms, Check Sheets. Notes on the ISO 9001 Standard for Quality Control.
Advanced treatment of conductimetry: physico-chemical background, instrumentation details, regulations, operational protocols and related issues, applications for liquid and solid samples. Notes on conducting polymers, ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents.
Advanced treatment of potentiometry: physico-chemical background, instrumentation details, regulations, operational protocols and related issues, applications for aqueous and non-aqueous solutions; electrode typologies.
Advanced treatment of voltammetry: physico-chemical background, instrumentation details, operational protocols and related issues, discussion of a variety of cases of interest in inorganic/organic/ metallorganic chemistry, and/or in fields like advanced materials (including conducting polymers), catalysis, energetics, environment. Enantioselective voltammetry. High sensitivity and low detection limits voltammetries (pulsed and stripping). Introduction to Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM).
Amperometry. Coulometry. Chronoamperometry. Chronopotentiometry.
Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS)
Spectroelectrochemical Techniques.
Hints to electroanalytical applications of bipolar electrochemistry and of electrochemistry at liquid-liquid interfaces. Hints to single-entìty electrochemistry.
Sensors and biosensors: definitions, physico-chemical background, enzymatic sensors, affinity sensors, nucleic acid-based sensors, use of nanomaterials for sensors. Types of sensors: thermochemical, potentiometric, semiconductor-based, chemoresistive, amperometric, conductimetric and impedimetric, piezometric, acoustic and optical.
.
Design of analysis and treatment of analytical data in a Quality by Design (QbD) perspective. Principles of design of experiment (DoE). Statistical thinking for the resolution of analytical problems. Use of the JMP Program.
Principles of chemometrics and multivariate analysis. Principal component analysis (PCA). Cluster analysis. Classification. Regression methods: ordinary and non-ordinary. Artificial neural networks and the use of artificial intelligence in analytical chemistry. Use of the R program. Multivariate analysis for sensors.
During the lessons, discussion of applications for the advanced characterization of inorganic and organic materials
or of interest in the environmental, energy, pharmaceutical, food and quality control fields.
PC exercises (0.75 CFU)
Within the Quality by Design approach, the application of experimental design will be discussed in order to optimize experimental parameters (some of which will be used in the chemical laboratory). For this purpose, exercises will be done on PC with the aid of the JMP program. The concepts of Quality Control will be applied, using the EXCEL Program or other programs suitable for the purpose. Software (e.g. CAT) will be presented and used for the use of chemometric techniques of multivariate analysis.
Laboratory experiments (2.25 CFU)
Laboratory experiments with a selection of electroanalytical and sensor techniques and applicative cases among those discussed in the lectures, also employing Excel spreadsheets for experimental data processing.
Prerequisites for admission
Fundamentals of physical, analytical, inorganic and organic chemistry, generally already acquired in the fundamental courses of scientific Bachelor Degrees.
Teaching methods
Traditional frontal lessons supported by Power Point slides and Wooclap quizzes. Discussion of real cases and applications.
Laboratory experiments with electroanalytical instrumentation. Excel spreadsheets for data processing. JMP and CAT programs.
Laboratory experiments with electroanalytical instrumentation. Excel spreadsheets for data processing. JMP and CAT programs.
Teaching Resources
1) Power Point presentations prepared by the instructors and available (downloadable and printable) from the instructror website before each lesson.
2) For laboratory experiments/PC exercises: laboratory protocols/notes prepared by the instructors, Excel, JMP and CAT templates/models for data processing prepared by the instructors.
3) Reference books:
General
F. Scholz -Springer: Electroanalytical Methods
P.M.S. Monk -Wiley-VCH: Fundamentals of Electroanalytical Chemistry
J. Wang -Wiley-VCH: Analytical Electrochemistry
C.M.A. Brett; A.M. Oliveira Brett -Oxford University Press: Electroanalysis
P.T. Kissinger; W.R. Heineman -Dekker: Laboratory techniques in Electroanalytical Chemistry
F.G. Thomas, G. Henze - CSIRO Publishing: Introduction to voltammetric analysis
A. J. Bard, L. R. Faulkner -Wiley-VCH: Electrochemical Methods, Fundamentals and Applications
Specifically suggested for insights on the characterization of inorganic and organic materials:
P. Zanello -Royal Society of Chemistry: Inorganic electrochemistry, theory, practice and application
J-M.Savéant-Wiley-VCH: Elements of Molecular and Biomolecular Electrochemistry
Specifically suggested for insights on impedance spectroscopy:
Lasia, Andrzej- Springer: Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy and its Applications
M. E. Orazem, B. Tribollet-Wiley-VCH: Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
E. Barsoukov, J. R. Macdonald-Wiley-VCH: Impedance Spectroscopy. Theory, Experiment and Applications
Specifically suggested for insights on sensors and biosensors:
F.B. Bănică - Wiley-VCH: Chemical Sensors and Biosensors: Fundamentals and Applications
B.R. Eggins - Wiley-VCH: Chemical Sensors and Biosensors
Specifically suggested for insights on quality control, experimental design and chemometric techniques:
Kaoru Ishikawa, Guide to Quality Control, Asian Productivity Organization.
R. Todeschini, Introduzione alla chemiometria, (https://michem.unimib.it/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2019/04/introduzione_alla_chemiometria.pdf).
G. Marrubini, C. Melzi, Trattamento dei dati e progettazione degli esperimenti per le scienze chimiche e farmaceutiche, Mc Graw Hill
2) For laboratory experiments/PC exercises: laboratory protocols/notes prepared by the instructors, Excel, JMP and CAT templates/models for data processing prepared by the instructors.
3) Reference books:
General
F. Scholz -Springer: Electroanalytical Methods
P.M.S. Monk -Wiley-VCH: Fundamentals of Electroanalytical Chemistry
J. Wang -Wiley-VCH: Analytical Electrochemistry
C.M.A. Brett; A.M. Oliveira Brett -Oxford University Press: Electroanalysis
P.T. Kissinger; W.R. Heineman -Dekker: Laboratory techniques in Electroanalytical Chemistry
F.G. Thomas, G. Henze - CSIRO Publishing: Introduction to voltammetric analysis
A. J. Bard, L. R. Faulkner -Wiley-VCH: Electrochemical Methods, Fundamentals and Applications
Specifically suggested for insights on the characterization of inorganic and organic materials:
P. Zanello -Royal Society of Chemistry: Inorganic electrochemistry, theory, practice and application
J-M.Savéant-Wiley-VCH: Elements of Molecular and Biomolecular Electrochemistry
Specifically suggested for insights on impedance spectroscopy:
Lasia, Andrzej- Springer: Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy and its Applications
M. E. Orazem, B. Tribollet-Wiley-VCH: Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
E. Barsoukov, J. R. Macdonald-Wiley-VCH: Impedance Spectroscopy. Theory, Experiment and Applications
Specifically suggested for insights on sensors and biosensors:
F.B. Bănică - Wiley-VCH: Chemical Sensors and Biosensors: Fundamentals and Applications
B.R. Eggins - Wiley-VCH: Chemical Sensors and Biosensors
Specifically suggested for insights on quality control, experimental design and chemometric techniques:
Kaoru Ishikawa, Guide to Quality Control, Asian Productivity Organization.
R. Todeschini, Introduzione alla chemiometria, (https://michem.unimib.it/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2019/04/introduzione_alla_chemiometria.pdf).
G. Marrubini, C. Melzi, Trattamento dei dati e progettazione degli esperimenti per le scienze chimiche e farmaceutiche, Mc Graw Hill
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral examination on the whole Course Programme, with open questions on what illustrated and discussed during the teaching lessons, and discussion of results obtained in the laboratory experiments.
CHIM/01 - ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 9
Practicals: 12 hours
Laboratories: 36 hours
Lessons: 48 hours
Laboratories: 36 hours
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Falciola Luigi, Mussini Patrizia Romana
Professor(s)
Reception:
Every Day from Monday to Friday, 9-18, by appointment
by Professor's Office in via Golgi 19, Building 5A, West Wing (Electrochemistry), III floor, room 3114-O
Reception:
From Monday to Friday, between 8.30 and 18.30, by appointment (to be requested by email))
In my office (Chemistry Department, West Wing, First Floor), or on the Teams platform in videoconference mode.