LEARNING OUTCOMES

Introduction to processes for the preparation and modification of inorganic materials. Properties of the synthesized materials and applications. 

TEACHING METHODS

Traditional lectures

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Synthesis methods for amorphous and crystalline materials. Solid state reaction. Combustion synthesis. Solid-gas reactions. Intercalation reactions. Chemical vapour transport.

Formation of solids from solutions and melts: Sol-gel processes and precursors. Hydrothermal synthesis. Thin film and coating: Deeping. CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition), PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition), Sputtering, MBE (Molecular Beam Epitaxial). Coating processes: Thermal plasma spray, HVOF (High-Velocity Oxy/Fuel), flame spray, vacuum plasma spray. Thermal Barrier Coatings. Diffusion Coating Process: Above the Pack process, Pack process.

Intercalation reactions. Layered host lattice, different charged layers and Stages. Grafting reactions. Pillaring reactions. Intercalation compounds: graphite layered, metallic dichalcogenides, LixCoO2, LixMn2O4. Hydrotalcite like-compounds.   

Shape memory alloys (metals amnd ceramics). Basic principles on martesite transformations. Various examples with special focus on Ti-Ni. Various applications. Ferromagnetic shape memory alloys.

 Hydrogen Storage materials for automotive applications. Methanol catalytic steam reforming (SRM), Partial oxidation of methanol (POM), Oxidative steam reforming of methanol (OSRM). Binary and ternary metallic hydrides: production, activation, kinetics, capacity, stability, costs, properties and applications. Complex hydrides. Alanates. Applications as getters and heat pumps.

Functionality and efficiency of materials in different Fuel cells (Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells PEM, Solid Oxide fuel Cells SOFC, Alkaline Fuel Cells, Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells, Molten carbonate Fuel cells).

Inorganic materials for thin film solar cells. Technological production of monocrystlline and polycrystalline silicon solar cells. Thin film solar cells: CdSe e CIGS (Cu-In-Ga-S), CZTS (thin chalcogenide films).

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Inorganic materials, D.W.Bruce, D.O’Hare, J.Wiley&Sons, 1997

Synthesis of Inorganic Materials, U.Schubert, N.Hüsing, Wiley-VCH, 2012

Introduzione alla chimica dei materiali, G.Flor, C. Tealdi, Dispenseonline, Pavia, 2009

Basic Solid State Chemistry, A.R.West, Wiley-VCH, 1984

Solid State chemistry, Anthony R. West, J. Wiley e Sons 1990