Instrumental Analytical Chemistry for the Environment and Materials
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide advanced knowledge on the chemical characterization and quantification of pollutants and micropollutants, as well as the advanced study of materials for environmental applications and cultural heritage. Specifically, the course intends to: - Deepen the understanding of key instrumental analysis techniques for environmental monitoring and material studies, highlighting their potential and limitations. - Provide skills for selecting and applying appropriate analytical methods based on the characteristics of environmental matrices and materials to be analyzed. - Integrate analytical chemistry knowledge with innovative approaches for contaminant analysis and the characterization of advanced materials. - Develop the ability to design analytical protocols for environmental quality control and material diagnostics, with a particular focus on degradation and conservation processes. - Train students in the critical evaluation of analytical data and the application of chemometric techniques for result interpretation
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student will be able to: - Plan and perform advanced chemical analyses for environmental monitoring, with a particular focus on the determination of pollutants and micropollutants. - Select and optimize analytical protocols based on the environmental matrix or material to be analyzed. - Critically interpret analytical data, including the use of statistical and chemometric tools for data processing and result validation. - Understand and apply sampling and sample preparation strategies for different types of environmental matrices and materials. - Identify analytical challenges related to the presence of various types of contaminants, including emerging pollutants, and the degradation of materials in different environments (urban, industrial, natural).
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course aims to provide students with advanced tools for the chemical characterization and quantification of pollutants and micropollutants, as well as for the advanced study of materials with applications in environmental science and cultural heritage.
SAMPLE PREPARATION AND ANALYTICAL STRATEGIES
Sampling strategies and sample preparation for different matrices (environmental samples, materials, cultural heritage): extraction methods, concentration techniques, and interference removal.
Active and passive sampling techniques for the analysis of atmospheric contaminants and aqueous matrices.
Emission sampling and analysis of air pollutants, with a focus on fine particulate matter and micropollutants.
Analysis of complex matrices: specific methodologies for treating and preparing samples from soil, water, and solid materials.
ADVANCED ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Advanced elemental analysis techniques: ICP-MS and LA-ICP-MS for trace metal quantification.
Advanced chromatographic methods (UHPLC, LC-MS triple quadrupole) with applications in the analysis of pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, and drugs of abuse.
Each analytical technique will be illustrated with case studies in environmental monitoring (air, water, soil), food safety (toxic substance quantification), and material characterization (including cultural heritage studies).
ADVANCED MATERIAL CHARACTERIZATION
Advanced SEM-EDX techniques: elemental mapping, depth profiling, and 3D reconstruction for studying material composition and structure.
Advanced molecular spectroscopy: spectral imaging and hyperspectral analysis for chemical surface distribution and studies on material aging and degradation.
Advanced thermal analysis: TGA-DSC, TGA-FTIR, TGA-GC-MS. Characterization of thermal stability and degradation products in natural and synthetic materials.
Advanced chromatographic methods for material characterization: UHPLC and LC-MS/MS for the study of organic residues, degradation compounds, and environmental contaminants adsorbed on materials.
Non-destructive on-site analysis for material characterization in environmental applications and cultural heritage conservation.
CHEMOMETRIC APPLICATIONS IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND MATERIAL ANALYSIS
Response Surface Methodology (RSM): application for optimizing environmental processes and minimizing the number of experiments in water treatment and air pollution studies.
Principal Component Analysis (PCA): use in interpreting data from environmental studies and material characterization.
Multivariate analysis for material studies: correlation between analytical parameters and structural/compositional characteristics of natural and artificial materials.
Advanced statistical modeling for managing and interpreting experimental data from complex matrices in environmental and material science.
LABORATORY (3 CFU - 48 HOURS)
The laboratory provides practical experience integrated with the theoretical course content, helping students develop skills in data analysis and interpretation. Activities include the use of computational tools for optimizing experimental parameters and statistical data processing, application of characterization techniques for different materials and matrices, and advanced methodologies for critical evaluation and result interpretation. Special focus will be given to analytical and chemometric tools for data management and modeling, with an approach aimed at solving experimental and applied problems.
SAMPLE PREPARATION AND ANALYTICAL STRATEGIES
Sampling strategies and sample preparation for different matrices (environmental samples, materials, cultural heritage): extraction methods, concentration techniques, and interference removal.
Active and passive sampling techniques for the analysis of atmospheric contaminants and aqueous matrices.
Emission sampling and analysis of air pollutants, with a focus on fine particulate matter and micropollutants.
Analysis of complex matrices: specific methodologies for treating and preparing samples from soil, water, and solid materials.
ADVANCED ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Advanced elemental analysis techniques: ICP-MS and LA-ICP-MS for trace metal quantification.
Advanced chromatographic methods (UHPLC, LC-MS triple quadrupole) with applications in the analysis of pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, and drugs of abuse.
Each analytical technique will be illustrated with case studies in environmental monitoring (air, water, soil), food safety (toxic substance quantification), and material characterization (including cultural heritage studies).
ADVANCED MATERIAL CHARACTERIZATION
Advanced SEM-EDX techniques: elemental mapping, depth profiling, and 3D reconstruction for studying material composition and structure.
Advanced molecular spectroscopy: spectral imaging and hyperspectral analysis for chemical surface distribution and studies on material aging and degradation.
Advanced thermal analysis: TGA-DSC, TGA-FTIR, TGA-GC-MS. Characterization of thermal stability and degradation products in natural and synthetic materials.
Advanced chromatographic methods for material characterization: UHPLC and LC-MS/MS for the study of organic residues, degradation compounds, and environmental contaminants adsorbed on materials.
Non-destructive on-site analysis for material characterization in environmental applications and cultural heritage conservation.
CHEMOMETRIC APPLICATIONS IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND MATERIAL ANALYSIS
Response Surface Methodology (RSM): application for optimizing environmental processes and minimizing the number of experiments in water treatment and air pollution studies.
Principal Component Analysis (PCA): use in interpreting data from environmental studies and material characterization.
Multivariate analysis for material studies: correlation between analytical parameters and structural/compositional characteristics of natural and artificial materials.
Advanced statistical modeling for managing and interpreting experimental data from complex matrices in environmental and material science.
LABORATORY (3 CFU - 48 HOURS)
The laboratory provides practical experience integrated with the theoretical course content, helping students develop skills in data analysis and interpretation. Activities include the use of computational tools for optimizing experimental parameters and statistical data processing, application of characterization techniques for different materials and matrices, and advanced methodologies for critical evaluation and result interpretation. Special focus will be given to analytical and chemometric tools for data management and modeling, with an approach aimed at solving experimental and applied problems.
Prerequisites for admission
Fundamentals of general and inorganic chemistry, stoichiometry, mathematics (knowledge deriving from a L27 type three-year Bachelor degree).
Knowledge of analytical chemistry with particular reference to instrumental analytical chemistry. This knowledge is generally acquired in the Analytical Chemistry I and Analytical Chemistry II courses of the Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry.
Knowledge that could be very useful is that acquired in the course of Environmental Chemistry and Advanced Electroanalytical Chemistry
Knowledge of analytical chemistry with particular reference to instrumental analytical chemistry. This knowledge is generally acquired in the Analytical Chemistry I and Analytical Chemistry II courses of the Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry.
Knowledge that could be very useful is that acquired in the course of Environmental Chemistry and Advanced Electroanalytical Chemistry
Teaching methods
Lectures will be integrated with exercises on the MyARIEL/MOODLE platform, numerical exercises on PC using specialized software for Quality Control, Experimental Design, and Chemometrics, as well as laboratory activities.
Additionally, seminars will be held by experts from companies operating in the field of instrumental analytical chemistry or from renowned research institutes. When possible, these seminars will also include practical demonstrations using portable analytical instruments.
Additionally, seminars will be held by experts from companies operating in the field of instrumental analytical chemistry or from renowned research institutes. When possible, these seminars will also include practical demonstrations using portable analytical instruments.
Teaching Resources
Power Point presentations of lessons, model spreadsheets, solved exercises, experimental laboratory methods. All this material can be downloaded from the teachers' MyARIEL website.
Recommended reference texts:
· Kaoru Ishikawa, Guide to Quality Control, Asian Productivity Organization.
· P. Patnaik, Handbook of environmental analysis, chemical pollutants air, water, soil and solid wastes, CRC Press.
· F. W. Fifield, Environmental analytical chemistry, Balckwell Science
Recommended reference texts:
· Kaoru Ishikawa, Guide to Quality Control, Asian Productivity Organization.
· P. Patnaik, Handbook of environmental analysis, chemical pollutants air, water, soil and solid wastes, CRC Press.
· F. W. Fifield, Environmental analytical chemistry, Balckwell Science
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written exam (2 hours) based on 6 open-ended questions. Grade is given in thirtieths (each question is worth 5 points).
CHIM/01 - ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 9
Laboratories: 48 hours
Lessons: 48 hours
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Fermo Paola, Fiorentino Antonino
Professor(s)