Module Details
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title SOLID STATE CHEMISTRY: C OPTION
Code CHEM441
Coordinator Dr JB Claridge
Chemistry
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2008-09 M Level First Semester 7.5

Aims

The aims of the module are

  • To provide an introduction to the methods available for the preparation, reactions and characterisation of solid state materials.
  • To provide an understanding of the behaviour of electrons in extended solids.
  • To provide an understanding of the role of defects in determining the structure and properties of extended solids.
  • To provide a perspective on the ranges of properties displayed by solids, particularly cooperative magnetism, superconductivity and ionic conductivity

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module students will

  • Be aware of the range of synthetic methods available to synthetic solid state chemists.
  • Be aware of the range of techniques available to the solid state chemist in order to characterise materials and the length scales on which they yield information.
  • Have a basic understanding of the properties of electrons in solids.
  • Understand the origins of cooperative magnetism in solids
  • Understand the origins of superconductivity in solids
  • Be able to choose appropriate methods to prepare and characterise the materials discussed in the module.
  • Have a basic understanding of the role of defects in controlling the properties of solids.
  • Have an overview of the commercial applications of the materials discussed.


Syllabus
0 
  • Diffraction techniques: Indexing Complex Powder Patterns. Peak Intensities and the origin of systematic absences. Neutrons versus X-rays. The phase problem. Powder versus Single Crystals. The Rietveld method. Electron diffraction and HRTEM.
  • Spectroscopic  Techniques in the solid state: EXAFS, solid state NMR, and Mössbauer (covered very briefly with the emphasis on the nature of the information obtained not the technique).
  • Defects / non-stoichiometry in solids: Point defects (Frenkel, Schottky). Point defects, electrons and holes as chemical species. Simple thermodynamics of point defects.  Extended defects, shear structures, vernier structures, micro-twin structures, intergrowth structures and adaptive structures.  Real systems: V2O3-V2O4, NiAs type chalcogeni des, oxide ion conductors e.g. YSZ.
  • Electrons in Solids: Chemical trends in the Mott-Hubbard transition- competition between bandwidth and interelectron repulsion. Co-operative magnetism in localised electron systems: superexchange and ferro-, antiferro- and ferrimagnetism. Curie Weiss law.
  • Case studies in modern electronic materials: Qualitative outline of BCS theory and application to A3C60 fullerides. Synthesis of A3C60 systems by intercalation Evolution of the electronic properties of the La2-xSrxCuO4 series as a case study to illustrate the behaviour of a doped Mott-Hubbard insulator -superexchange and metal-insulator transitions.


Teaching and Learning Strategies

The factual material will be presented in the 14 lectures together with directed reading in the text books associated with the module. Case studies will be used to illustrate the material and demonstrate the applicability of the principles described to specific cases. The workshops will consist of problems related to the topics covered in the lectures to require students to demonstrate understanding of the material covered.


Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 14

   3

       17
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 58
TOTAL HOURS 75

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Written Examination   2 hours  First  80  August resit opportunity for PGT students only, where applicable. see notes    Year 3 (and Year 4) students resit at the next normal opportunity. Written Examination comprising a mix of problem based and descriptive questions designed to test the students' knowledge and understanding of, and ability to apply, lecture material and structured in such a way as to allow the student to demonstrate achievement of the module learning outcomes.  
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Assessed tutorial questions    first  20  none  Standard University Policy applies - see Department/School handbook for details.  This work is not marked anonymously.  

Recommended Texts

Solid State Chemistry

  • Smart and Moore, "Solid State Chemistry" (2nd edition)
  • Rao and Goplkrishnan, "New Directions in Solid State Chemistry" (2nd edition)
  • Cheetham and Day, "Solid State Chemistry: Compounds"
  • Raveau and Rao "Transition Metal Oxides"
  • Cox "Transition Metal Oxides"
  • Hoffmann "Solids and Surfaces: A chemist's view of bonding in extended structures"