Chemical-Physical Transformations of Solids

The course introduces the fundamental principles governing transformations in solid materials, addressing structural, thermodynamic, kinetic, and crystal lattice dynamics aspects. Phase diagrams, diffusion, nucleation and growth processes, and the role of defects in these phenomena will be discussed.
Following an introduction to symmetry in crystalline solids, the main mechanisms of phase transitions will be examined. Landau theory and the distinction between diffusional and displacive transformations will be presented. Particular emphasis will be placed on phonons, their contribution to free energy and vibrational entropy, and their role in driving and stabilizing structural phase transitions. The course will also cover the principal experimental techniques used to investigate solid-state transformations, including diffraction, calorimetry, and vibrational spectroscopies, illustrated through examples from functional materials of chemical and technological interest.
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to interpret and quantitatively describe solid-state transformations based on the principles of physical chemistry and materials science.