Solid State Chemistry

A.Y. 2019/2020
6
Max ECTS
48
Overall hours
SSD
CHIM/03
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The course will illustrate characterization and properties of molecular and polymeric compounds in the solid state. In particular, in this course, the characterization of solid phases will be treated through advanced powder diffraction techniques (X-rays, neutrons). Furthermore, the solid state properties of materials of energetic and environmental interest and of industrial interest will be described.
Expected learning outcomes
The student will acquire skills in the use of advanced solid state characterization techniques and in the description of the properties of solid state molecular and polymeric materials. Furthermore, the student will correlate the crystalline structure of these materials, with their physical and chemical properties for industrial, energetic and environmental applications.
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
Course syllabus
Part 1. Theory
1. Powder X.ray Diffraction: fundamentals
2. Experimental techniques
3. Preliminary Data Processing and Phase Analysis
4. Simulation of powder diffraction patterns: the Rietveld method
5. Unit cell determination and refinement: Le Bail/Pawley refinements
6. Crystal Structure Determination: ab initio methods in the direct space
7. Computer Software for powder X-ray diffraction analysis
8. Micro structural properties
9. Non ambient diffraction techniques
- Variable temperature
- Variable gas-pressure
- High pressure (Diamond Anvil Cell - DAC)
10. X-ray Fluorescence
11. Neutron Diffraction
12. Local Structure from Total Scattering and atomic Pair Distribution Function (PDF) analysis

Part 2. Applications

13. Polymorphism and phase transitions in the solid state
- Thermodynamic characterization: thermal analyses
- Structural characterization: thermodiffractometry
14. Molecular and polymeric materials:
- Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)
- Pigments
- Porous materials: zeolites and metal-organic frameworks
- Inorganic materials: magnetic, ionic conductors and intercalation compounds
Prerequisites for admission
General and Inorganic Chemistry
Basics of analytical chemistry (basics of powder X-ray diffraction and thermal analyses)
Teaching methods
Frontal lesson with projected slides andwith the support of the blackboard. Interaction with the class via smartphone APP with easy questions and anonymous answers to evaluate the understanding of the topics in real time.
Hands-on sessions with computers to apply the methods learned in class on real case studies.
Teaching Resources
Reference material
- Fundamentals of Powder Diffraction and Structural Characterization of Materials, Second Edition. Pecharsky, Vitalij, Zavalij, Peter
- Powder Diffraction: Theory and Practice. Dinnebier and Billige
- Polymorphism in molecular crystals. Bernstain
- Polymorphism in the pharmaceutical Industry. R. Hilfiker.
- Solid State Chemistry: an Introduction. Moore and Smart.
- Solid State Chemistry and Its Applications. A.R. West


The teaching material also includes the slides projected at the course and the lectures produced by the teacher on the topics dealt with in the classroom.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Colloquium: the course includes a final interview with the assignment of a mark. The outcome of the interview is in thirtieths: the interview is considered to be complete if the candidate obtains a score of at least 18/30.
The oral interview related to the course topics includes at least one question on the theoretical part and at least two questions on the application part. It is the student's faculty to ask to exhibit, in an autonomous and complete manner, a topic of his own choice, among those presented in the frontal lessons, which will not however be exhaustive of the entire interview. The grade assigned by the teacher takes into account both the correctness and quality of the answers (80%), and the communicative capacity demonstrated by the candidate during the interview (20%).
CHIM/03 - GENERAL AND INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor: Colombo Valentina
Shifts:
-
Professor: Colombo Valentina
Professor(s)