ID:
508740
Duration (hours):
48
CFU:
6
SSD:
MINERALOGIA
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Primo Semestre (29/09/2025 - 16/01/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The course aims at providing the concepts and tools needed to understand the structural complexity of inorganic solids and how this is reflected on solid state reactivity and on the physical properties of materials.
The student will
be able to describe the main interactions responsible for structural organization in crystals and exemplify the main structure types.
understand the relationship between symmetry and material properties.
know solid solutions and polymorphism as well as their importance for crystalline materials.
have the ability to use crystallographic databases for data mining.
be able to use the specific language and terminology proper to the discipline to consistently communicate what has learned.
be able to deepen and extend his/her knowledge by using bibliographic resources, scientific articles and reviews on specialized topic
The student will
be able to describe the main interactions responsible for structural organization in crystals and exemplify the main structure types.
understand the relationship between symmetry and material properties.
know solid solutions and polymorphism as well as their importance for crystalline materials.
have the ability to use crystallographic databases for data mining.
be able to use the specific language and terminology proper to the discipline to consistently communicate what has learned.
be able to deepen and extend his/her knowledge by using bibliographic resources, scientific articles and reviews on specialized topic
Course Prerequisites
Fundamentals of thermodynamics, material chemistry and crystallography, basic notions on the main characterization techniques of solid state materials, including diffraction.
Teaching Methods
The course consists of Socratic heuristic lectures, practical exercises that include the use of crystallographic software and databases aimed at applying the theoretical concepts presented.
Assessment Methods
The exam consists of an oral test. The student will have to demonstrate that she/he has integrated the knowledge acquired in the sections in which the course is articulated, to be able to critically discuss it and thus have achieved the proposed educational objectives. The evaluation will be based on the degree of understanding and depth of the proposed topics and will take into account the capability of using the appropriate scientific language.
Texts
The slides projected during the course in PDF format and all materials used during the lectures are made available and shared through KIRO.
In addition to the shared material, the student can expand on the topics covered by referring to the texts:
Putnis, Introduction to mineral sciences, Cambridge University Press, 1992
A.R. West, Solid State Chemistry and its Applications, 2nd Edition, Wiley, 2014
P.M. Woodward, P. Karen, J.S.O. Evans, T. Vogt, Solid State Materials Chemistry, Cambridge University Press; 2021.
U. Mueller Inorganic Structural Chemistry, 2nd Edition, Wiley, 2006
In addition to the shared material, the student can expand on the topics covered by referring to the texts:
Putnis, Introduction to mineral sciences, Cambridge University Press, 1992
A.R. West, Solid State Chemistry and its Applications, 2nd Edition, Wiley, 2014
P.M. Woodward, P. Karen, J.S.O. Evans, T. Vogt, Solid State Materials Chemistry, Cambridge University Press; 2021.
U. Mueller Inorganic Structural Chemistry, 2nd Edition, Wiley, 2006
Contents
Mod. 1
Principles of crystal chemistry. Inorganic crystal chemistry: bonding in inorganic crystals, ionic radii and Pauling’s rules. Derivation of crystal structures from closest packing of spheres. Representing crystals in terms of coordination polyhedra. Real crystals. Solid solutions. Mixing properties. Partial solubility and miscibility gaps. Exsolution processes. Order-disorder processes. Phase transformations: thermodynamic and kinetic aspects. Displacive and reconstructive structural phase transitions. Symmetry relations between related crystal structures. Landau theory of continuous phase transitions. Domains and twinned crystals. Antiphase domains. Topotactic reactions.
Mod. 2.
Octahedral and tetrahedral structures. Silicates structures. The perovskite family. Microporous and mesoporous solids.
Case studies.
Principles of crystal chemistry. Inorganic crystal chemistry: bonding in inorganic crystals, ionic radii and Pauling’s rules. Derivation of crystal structures from closest packing of spheres. Representing crystals in terms of coordination polyhedra. Real crystals. Solid solutions. Mixing properties. Partial solubility and miscibility gaps. Exsolution processes. Order-disorder processes. Phase transformations: thermodynamic and kinetic aspects. Displacive and reconstructive structural phase transitions. Symmetry relations between related crystal structures. Landau theory of continuous phase transitions. Domains and twinned crystals. Antiphase domains. Topotactic reactions.
Mod. 2.
Octahedral and tetrahedral structures. Silicates structures. The perovskite family. Microporous and mesoporous solids.
Case studies.
Course Language
Italian
More information
With reference to the guidelines for teaching methods (a.y. 2025/2026), for students enrolled in the course who certify that they are in one of the conditions listed in Appendix A, up to 2 hours of tuition per week, also online, will be arranged. The tution must be arranged by e-mail at least one week in advance. The examination procedures will remain unchanged.
Degrees
Degrees
chemistry
Master’s Degree
2 years
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