Solid-State and Materials Chemistry

A description of how the structures of crystalline solids at different length scales control their chemical and physical properties is critical for understanding how these materials are applied in a variety of technologies ranging from solar cells to lithium batteries. This course begins with basic crystallography and introduces common inorganic structure types as well as common defects in crystalline solids. With the aid of computer models, students will learn to analyze and index x-ray powder-diffraction patterns that provide a fingerprint to identify a crystal. The relation between the crystal structure of a solid and its resulting electronic structure, chemical reactivity, and physical properties (e.g., optical, electrical, and mechanical) will be discussed throughout the semester with an emphasis on how crystal defects alter these properties. The course will conclude with the use of phase diagrams to assess the composition and microstructure of metals and ceramics. Prerequisite: Chem 105/111A or permission of instructor