General
Course contents
- Core concepts: Structure, bonding, synthesis, and characterization of solid state materials.
- Core practical skills: Use of crystal structure databases, visualization of crystal structures, interpretation of phase diagrams,
and phase identification with powder X-ray diffraction data.
- Application of the above core concepts and skills to various main group compounds and transition metal compounds.
Practical arrangements
- Teacher: Antti Karttunen (antti.karttunen@aalto.fi).
- Course begins on Monday 25.2. at 12:15 in Computer class 1 (B016).
- The teaching sessions consist of a lecture part and practical exercises.
- The course includes also independent project work that will be carried out using Aalto Solid State Chemistry Wiki.
Week 1: Crystal structure
Structure of crystalline materials. X-ray diffraction. Point group and space group symmetry.
Structural databases, visualization of crystal structures
Week 2: Bonding in solids
Electronegativity. Atomic/ionic radii. Description of crystal structures (coordination, close-packing).
Band theory. Band structures.
Week 3: Synthesis of solid-state materials
Phase diagrams and crystal growth
Synthesis
Week 4: Characterization of solid-state materials
Wiki workshops
We organize Wiki workshops on Thursday 21.3. at 12.15-14.00 and Friday 22.3. at 12.15-14.00 in Computer class 1. Welcome to drop in at any time to discuss your Wiki project and any technical issues related to it.
Miller indices. X-ray techniques. Phase identification by powder XRD. Microscopies.
Spectroscopies and thermal analysis
Week 5: Main group compounds
Open office hours for further discussion about exercises: Friday 29.3. at 12:30-13:30
Geochemistry and abundance of elements. Minerals and mineral databases.
Main group compounds (allotropes, Zintl phases)
Week 6: d-block metal compounds
Open office hours for further discussion about exercises: Friday 5.4. at 12:30-13:30
d-block metals: basics and magnetism
d-block metal oxides and other compounds
Week 7: Specialized topics I
Open office hours for further discussion about exercises: Thursday 18.4. at 12:30-13:30
Defects, solid solutions
Semiconductors, doping, electrical properties
Week 8: Specialized topics II
Open office hours for further discussion about exercises: Friday 26.4. at 12:30-13:30
Layered compounds, intercalation chemistry
No lecture on Wednesday 24.4.! Final discussion on Tuesday 23.4.
Reflection on the course topics