Module CHEM4451: CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS

Department: CHEMISTRY

CHEM4451: CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS

Prerequisites

• Chemical Physics 3 (CHEM3411), Molecules and their Interactions (CHEM3041), AND Computational Chemistry (CHEM2061).

Corequisites

• Chemical Physics 4 (CHEM4411).

Excluded Combination of Modules

• Materials Chemistry (CHEM3051) AND Research Skills (CHEM4081).

Aims

• To apply chemical principles to the design and evaluation of materials.

Content

• Inorganic materials.
• Electronic structure of solids.
• Material properties.
• Characterisation of materials.
• Practical electronic structure calculations.

Learning Outcomes

• Appreciate and describe structural features of non-stoichiometric compounds, interstitial compounds, intercalates, high temperature superconductors and zeolites; relate these structures to specific dielectric, electrical, optical and magnetic properties.
• describe the functional groups required in a molecule to obtain specific opto-electrical properties and explain the requirements for speciality polymers.
• describe the electronic structure of solids in terms of band theory and use this theory to explain the electrical properties of insulators, semiconductors and metals; explain the origin of dielectric, magnetic, optical and thermal properties of solids.
• explain the application of various techniques for probing solids and polymers; identify the relevant characterisation techniques for elucidating structure at different length-scales; interpret and combine data from different techniques; describe hierarchical structures in solids and polymers.
• calaulate a range of molecular properties using an electronic structure package, and judge the quality of published calculations.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Facts and new concepts are introduced in lecture courses.
• These are backed up by workshops where the student attempts problems and is helped with any difficulties.
• Knowledge is tested by examinations both open and closed-book including a computer practical.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Workshop problems.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University