500565 - Physical Chemistry III

courses

ID:

500565

Duration (hours):

48

CFU:

SSD:

CHIMICA FISICA

Year:

2025

Date/time interval

Secondo Semestre (02/03/2026 - 12/06/2026)

Course Objectives

The course aims at provide students with knowledge in the area of solid state chemistry and in the structure-properties relationship of matter. After the course the student should be able to understand the atomic, electronic end defect properties of solids and to relate them with the crystal structure.

Course Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of Physical Chemistry and Physics, as given by the undergraduated courses for the Chemistry Degree.

Teaching Methods

Lectures of theory and application examples. Solution and discussion of numerical exercises. Powerpoint slides will be used, complemented with blackboard specific examples.

Assessment Methods

The concepts teached in both modules will be the object of the oral examination. In particular, the student should demonstrate its abilities in discussing problems concerning solid state chemistry independently on the specific examples given during the lessons.

Texts

P. A. Cox, “The electronic structure and chemistry of solids”, Oxford Science Pub., 1999;
A.R. West, “Solid State Chemistry and its applications”, 2nd Ed, 2014.
C. Kittel, "Introduction to solid state physics", John Wiley & Sons Inc., 8th Ed, 2005.
Michael Glazer and Gerald Burns, Space Groups for Solid State Scientists, 3rd Ed., 2013
Frontal lessons and material provided by the teachers

The course is devoted to the basic aspects of solid state physical chemistry and includes lectures on theory and application examples on the following topics. Symmetry in the solid state, phonons and lattice vibrations; Electronic properties of solids: tight-band model (LCAO), energy bands, patterns of reduced zone and extended zone, solutions to the zone boundary and number of states in a energy band; Comparison of properties in metals, insulators, semiconductors; Intrinsic conductivity and forbidden energy range; Electrons and holes, charge carriers and extrinsic conductivity (impurities): carriers mobility, lifetime and recombination mechanisms; p-n junctions, rectifier properties of the junctions with some applications; Equilibrium point defects in stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric compounds and defects-property relations: electrical conductivity and diffusivity in solids. Heterogeneous kinetics, volume defects, phase nucleation, interface phenomena and threshold displacement interface mechanisms. Geometric models for studies of kinetics and mechanisms of reactions in the solid state.

Course Language

Italian

More information

With reference to the guidelines for teaching procedures for the current academic year, the students who certify to fulfill the conditions given in Annex A will benefit from the whole material provided to all other students with the addition of up to 2 hours per week for support by the lecturer, either in presence or online, to be arranged directly with the lecturer at least one week in advance.