OVERVIEW

The course addresses specific topics in Materials Chemistry, such as heterogeneous equilibria in complex systems represented by phase diagrams and the main synthetic processes of inorganic materials. The importance of knowledge of the appropriate phase diagram for planning the synthesis conditions of specific classes of materials will also be emphasized.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching aims to enable students to: 1) Interpret and apply multi-component state diagrams in order to understand the behavior of materials subjected to specific conditions. 2) To classify the main ceramic materials (both classical and advanced, both crystalline and amorphous) and describe their structural, thermal, mechanical properties, etc., as well as their respective applications and main synthesis methods. 3) Understand the phase transformation processes, with particular reference to solidification, and interpret the consequent micrographic aspects. 4) Understand some surface phenomena such as wettability and brazing.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide the knowledge necessary to plan the synthesis of various types of materials and to interpret and apply multicomponent phase diagrams. At the end of the course, students will be able to: - read and interpret multicomponent phase diagrams - understand the main synthesis techniques for specific classes of materials - use phase diagrams, when possible, to select the best synthesis conditions.

PREREQUISITES

There are no specific requirements

TEACHING METHODS

Teaching is structured through lectures. The theory will be presented during the lessons, and then applied to various examples. Students will be able to use the materials made available on Aulaweb. Attendance is strongly recommended.

For students with valid certifications for Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), disabilities or other educational needs, please contact the teacher and the inclusion representative (sergio.didomizio@unige.it)  at the beginning of the course in order to agree on any teaching methods that, in compliance with the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning methods.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

General characteristics of 2-component phase diagrams. Three-component phase diagrams. Gibbs triangle. Isothermal and isoplethal sections. Liquidus projections, primary solidification areas, solidification process. Isomorphous ternary systems. Two- and three-phase fields. Invariant ternary equilibria. Reaction scheme (Scheil diagrams). Related examples.

Main techniques for the synthesis of polycrystalline and amorphous materials. Kinetics and mechanisms of solid-state reactions. Ceramic synthesis. Epitactic and topotassic reactions. Co-precipitation and precursor methods. Molten metal flow synthesis. Mechanochemical synthesis. Sintering process. Synthesis of classical ceramics. Combustive synthesis. Solvothermal synthesis. Microwave synthesis. Precipitation process: LaMer model. Sol-gel process: precursors and hydrolysis and condensation reactions; parameters influencing the process. Gel aging and drying techniques. Aerogels. Examples of sol-gel synthesis of materials. Inorganic-organic hybrid materials; entrapping and grafting. Characteristics and properties of intercalation compounds. Synthesis of intercalation compounds with examples. Differently charged or neutral layers. Pillaring phenomenon. Characteristics and synthesis methods of nanostructured materials.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

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

Didactic material distributed by the teacher

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

According to the timetable reported here 

Class schedule

CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Final oral exam.
The oral exam is always conducted by two tenured teachers, lasts at least 30 minutes and focuses on all the topics covered in class.

 

ASSESSMENT METHODS

With the methods described above, given that at least one of the two teachers has many years of exams experience in the discipline, the commission is able to verify with high accuracy the achievement of the educational objectives of the teaching. When these are not reached, the student is invited to deepen the study and to make use of further explanations by the lecturer. The CCS guarantees the correspondence between the topics of the exam and those actually carried out during the course. To this end, the teacher in charge makes the detailed program public at the beginning of the lessons (on a site called the web room reserved for teachers and students of the University). 

FURTHER INFORMATION

For any additional information not included in the unit description, contact the professor

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.