Learning objectives
<br />The main goal of the course is to introduce the student to the solid state chemistry and to the nature of the crystal state. The acquirement of the fundamental structure types of simple inorganic structures, the existence of polymorphism and phase transition and the basic concepts governing the solid solutions are considered fundamental steps. An additional goal is the acquirement of the thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of the chemical reactivity of solids and of the sintering process.
Course unit content
<br /> <br />Crystals and amorphous materials<br />The crystal state, crystallization process, nucleation and growth, thermodynamic and kinetic aspects, amorphous materials, glasses, inorganic and organic glasses<br /> <br />Classification of crystal structures<br />Factors influencing the crystal structure, Close packing of spheres as model for inorganic solids, the eutactic model, Principal structure types of binary and ternary compounds<br /> <br />Phase transitions<br />Polymorphism and phase transitions, kinetic classification of phase transitions, thermodynamic classification, continuous and discontinuous transitions, crystallographic trends in phase transitions as function of temperature and pressure.<br /> <br />Solid solutions<br />Definition of a solid solution, interstitial and substitutional solid solutions, etherovalent substitutions and charge compensation mechanisms<br /> <br />Reactivity of solids<br />Solid state reactions, mechanisms, influence of temperature and pressure, influence of surface area, use of reactive precursors, experimental aspects, sintering process and ceramic materials
Bibliography
<br />A.R. West, Solid state chemistry and its applications, John Wiley and Sons, Chichester, 1984<br />Lecture notes
