OVERVIEW

The course introduces to the understanding of the physico-chemical mechanisms that govern the operation of innovative inorganic materials with optoelectronics and transport properties (electron, ions, heat).

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course intends to provide students with a general comprehension of the physico-chemical properties of several innovative inorganic materials for energy. Aim of the course is to give the instruments for understanding the physico-chemical correlation between structure, microstructure and electronic and transport properties occurring in the state–of–the–art of inorganic materials for Energy conversion, storage and harvesting.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course intends to provide students with a general understanding of the physico-chemical properties of several innovative inorganic materials for Energy conversion, storage and harvesting. Aim of the course is to give the instruments for the comprehension of the physico-chemical correlation between structure, microstructure, and electronic and transport properties existing in the state–of–the–art of inorganic materials for Energy such as LEDs, solar cells, solid oxide cells and thermoelectric generators.

At the end of the course, students will have developed knowledge of the physical chemistry of materials for Energy; they will have applied and elaborated concepts previously acquired in the physico-chemical studies; they will be able to correlate the structural properties with the transport properties in simple case studies; they will have acquired the working principles of optoelectronic, electrochemical at solid-state and thermoelectric devices; moreover, the research work fundamental for the optimization of material properties will be learned.

PREREQUISITES

Basic knowledge of inorganic and physical chemistry

TEACHING METHODS

The course consists in 32 hours frontal teaching held from the two professors

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Introduction

• Crystal structures: fluorite, perovskite, skutterudite.
• Defects and their role in optical and transport properties of materials.
• General features of the band structure of inorganic materials.

Optoelectronic properties of materials

• Absorption, excitation and emission mechanisms.
• Optical properties of some transition elements. Lanthanides luminescence.
• From bulk to nano. Effects of quantum confinement (quantum well, quantum wire, quantum dot). 
• Persistent luminescence. 
• Devices (introduction). Working principles and choice of the most proper material for solar cells, luminescent solar concentrators (LSC), LED, screens, scintillators, lasers.

Transport properties of materials: transport of electrons, ions and heat

• Solid oxide cells: historical remarks and working principles
• Materials for electrodes and electrolytes in solid oxide cells: structure/properties correlations
• Thermoelectricity: historical remarks and working principles
• Materials for thermoelectric generators: structure/properties correlations

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All slides will be available in aulaweb starting from the date of the lesson. This material will be sufficient to prepare the exam.

The following books are suggested as focus texts:

- M. Grundmann, The Physics of Semiconductors: an introduction including nanophysics and applications, IV Edition Springer 2021.

- D.M. Rowe, Thermoeletrics handbook, Macro to Nano, CRC press Taylor & Francis 2006.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

CRISTINA ARTINI (President)

FEDERICO LOCARDI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

From February 24, 2025

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists in an oral examination during at least 30 minutes aiming at verifying the comprehension of the topics treated during the course.

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sergio Di Domizio (sergio.didomizio@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral examination will be constituted by questions focusing on the topics of the lessons. The Exam Commission is made up of two tenured professors. The achievement of the educational objectives of the course is verified through a) the candidate's acquisition of the notions fundamental for a correct knowledge of the topics included in the program, b) the candidate's ability to move rationally in the field, including the use of appropriate links between different topics, and c) the candidate's ability to critically analyse problems dealing with the realization of the materials described during the course.

The candidate has the faculty to prepare, as a part of the exam, an insight presentation on a specific topic included in the program. 

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sergio Di Domizio (sergio.didomizio@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.