Nuclear and Analytical Chemistry

Paper Code: 
25CHY124
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course will enable the students to

acquire knowledge about the working principle of counters and applications of radioactive isotopes and acquaint the students with the separation process using various chromatographic techniques, quantitative measurements in the absorption and emission spectroscopy and use of electrochemistry in practical applications.

 

Course Outcomes: 

Course

Learning outcome

(at course level)

Learning and Teaching Strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course

Title

 

25CHY124

 

Nuclear and Analytical Chemistry (Theory)

CO19 Explain the concept of counters and their functions and types of nuclear reactions.

CO20 Describe the principle and applications of different thermal methods and use of radioisotopes as tracers in different fields.

CO21 Employ different chromatographic techniques in the separation & identification of components of a system.

CO22 Explain instrumentation and applications of electroanalytical methods.

CO23 Discuss principle, instrumentation and applications of optical methods.

CO24 Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction.

Approach in teaching:

Interactive lectures, tutorials, group discussions and e-learning.

 

Learning activities for the students:

Peer learning, e- learning, problem solving through tutorials and group discussions.

 

 

Written examinations,

Assignments, Quiz

  •  

 

12.00
Unit I: 
Nuclear Chemistry

Types of radioactive decay, decay kinetics-decay constant, units of radioactivity, parent-daughter growth relationship, counters-Geiger counter, scintillation counter, proportional counter, semiconductor detector, nuclear reaction-evaporation, spallation, fragmentation, transfer reactions (Buckshot hypothesis), nuclear fission- theory of nuclear fission , fission fragments , their mass and charge distribution, fission energy,  compound nucleus theory for nuclear reaction, photonuclear reaction and nuclear fusion( thermonuclear reaction),  nuclear reactors, interaction of radiation with matter .

Self-Study- sub-nucleons, classification of nuclides, nuclear stability, binding energy, nuclear radius, nuclear models – liquid drop model, shell model.

 

12.00
Unit II: 
Nuclear and Thermal Methods

Nuclear Methods: Applications of radio isotopes as tracers- chemical investigations (structure determinations, reaction mechanism, isotope exchange reactions), age determination, medical, agricultural and industrial applications, analytical applications (neutron activation analysis and isotope dilution analysis)

Thermal Methods: Theory and applications of TGA, DTA, DSC and thermometric titrations.

 

 

14.00
Unit III: 
Separation Methods

Prerequisite: Theory and applications of paper & Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC).

Theory and applications of solvent extraction, ion exchangers including liquid ion exchangers and chromatographic methods for identification and estimation of multicomponent systems (such as GC, HPLC, CC).

Hyphenated Techniques: Instrumentation and applications of GC-IR, TG-IR spectroscopy, GC-mass spectroscopy.

 

11.00
Unit IV: 
Electroanalytical Methods and Imaging Techniques

Instrumentation and applications of polarography (DC, AC and pulse), cyclic voltammetry, coulometry and anode stripping voltammetry, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)- instrumentation and applications.

 

11.00
Unit V: 
Optical Methods

Instrumentation and applications of UV-Visible, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES), Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA), Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), Atomic Emission spectroscopy (AES).

 

 

Essential Readings: 
  1. Essentials of Nuclear Chemistry, Fourth Edition; H.J. Arnikar; New Age International (P) Ltd., New Delhi, 2016.
  2. Principles of Instrumental Analysis, Seventh Edition; Skoog, D.A., Holler F.J. and S.R. Crouch; Cengage Learning, USA, 2016

 

References: 
  1. Nuclear Chemistry for B.Sc. and M.Sc. Students of Indian Universities, First Edition; C.V. Shekhar; Dominant Publishers and Distributors, New Delhi, 2003.
  2. Instrumental Methods of Analysis, Seventh Edition; H.H.  Willard, L.L. Merritt, J.A. Dean, F.A. Settle CBS Publishers, New Delhi, 2004
  3. Basic Concepts of Analytical Chemistry, Fourth Edition; Khopkar, S.M., New Age International Pvt Ltd, New Delhi, 2020.
  4. Element of X-Ray Diffraction, Third edition; B.D. Cullity, S.R. Stock, Pearson Education, Delhi, 2014.
  5. Fundamental Concepts of Inorganic Chemistry, First Edition, Volume 7; A.K. Das, M. Das, CBS Publishers, New Delhi, 2014.

 

e-Resources:

  1. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbMVogVj5nJRvq-w3zway7k3GzmUDte3a
  2. https://youtu.be/OFh_Id8Ja4Y
  3. https://nptel.ac.in/courses/104105084

 

 

Academic Year: 
2025-2026
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