Topic outline

  • 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.
    • Structure of crystalline materials. X-ray diffraction. Point group and space group symmetry.

    • Structural databases, visualization of crystal structures

    • Electronegativity. Atomic/ionic radii. Description of crystal structures (coordination, close-packing).

    • Band theory. Band structures.

    • Phase diagrams and crystal growth

    • Miller indices. X-ray techniques. Phase identification by powder XRD. Microscopies.

    • Spectroscopies and thermal analysis

    • Geochemistry and abundance of elements. Minerals and mineral databases.

    • Main group compounds (allotropes, Zintl phases)

    • d-block metals: basics and magnetism

    • d-block metal oxides and other compounds

    • Defects, solid solutions

    • Semiconductors, doping, electrical properties

    • Layered compounds, intercalation chemistry

    • Reflection on the course topics