PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS

Knowledge and understanding
Acquire an advanced knowledge of the principles of physical chemistry of materials, with particular emphasis on the relationship between crystal structure and the electronic, vibrational, thermal, dielectric, and optical properties of solid materials. Understand the theoretical models underlying the description of crystalline solids, semiconductor materials, and nanomaterials, as well as the fundamental principles of the main structural and spectroscopic characterization techniques.

Applying knowledge and understanding
Apply the concepts of physical chemistry of materials to the interpretation of material properties and to the correlation between composition, structure, and functional behavior. Use theoretical models to analyze phenomena such as diffraction, electronic transport, lattice vibrations, dielectric response, and matter–radiation interaction, also in relation to technological applications in advanced materials and nanomaterials.

Making judgements
Develop the ability to critically evaluate theoretical models and experimental data related to solid materials, identifying the relationships between microscopic structure and macroscopic properties. Be able to select and assess the most appropriate characterization methods and interpretative approaches according to the scientific problem under investigation.

Communication skills
Communicate concepts, models, and results related to the physical chemistry of materials clearly and rigorously, using appropriate scientific terminology and interacting effectively with both specialist and non-specialist audiences in interdisciplinary contexts.

Learning skills
Develop independent learning skills through the study of advanced textbooks and scientific literature in the fields of physical chemistry of materials, functional materials, and nanotechnology, acquiring the tools necessary to address advanced scientific problems and keep up with developments in the discipline.

The course is delivered through lectures integrated with possible exercises aimed at applying theoretical models and solving quantitative problems.

Lectures are devoted to the presentation of the fundamental principles of physical chemistry of materials, with particular reference to the structure of crystalline materials, structural characterization methods, electronic structure of solids, properties of semiconductor materials, lattice vibrations, and dielectric and optical properties of materials.

Exercises are focused on the application of theoretical concepts through the discussion and solution of problems related to the structure and properties of materials, with particular attention to the interpretation of physical–chemical models and experimental data.

Regular attendance and active participation in lectures and exercises are strongly recommended in order to facilitate the understanding of the topics covered and the development of analytical and application skills.

If necessary, the course will be given in remote. In this case some changes are possible, in order to respect the contrains here reported.

To successfully attend the course, students are expected to have basic knowledge in the following areas:

• basic mathematical knowledge acquired during secondary school, including algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and elementary functions;
• knowledge of calculus, including differential and integral calculus and functions of several variables;
• knowledge of general and experimental physics, with particular reference to the fundamentals of mechanics, electromagnetism, and wave phenomena;
• knowledge of general chemistry, including the structure of matter, chemical bonding, and the properties of the elements;
• knowledge of physical chemistry corresponding to the fundamental contents of Physical Chemistry courses, including thermodynamics, kinetics, quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, and molecular properties of matter.

Students are also expected to be familiar with mathematical notation and with the quantitative interpretation of chemical and physical phenomena.

I. Structure of Crystalline Materials and Crystal Formation

• Definition of crystal structure and thermodynamics of crystallization.
• Nucleation and crystal growth processes.
• Crystal lattices, unit cells, and Bravais lattices.
• Crystallographic directions and planes. Miller indices.
• Crystal packing and packing energy.
• Close-packed structures.
• Covalent, ionic, and molecular crystals.
• Defects in crystalline structures: point defects and extended defects.
• Thermodynamics of point defects.

II. Methods for Structural Characterization of Materials

• General concepts of interference and diffraction.
• Diffraction in crystalline lattices.
• Laue and Bragg laws.
• Fourier transforms and reciprocal lattices.
• Diffraction features of single crystals and polycrystalline materials.
• Diffraction in nanocrystalline systems and amorphous solids.

III. Electronic Structure and Charge Transport in Solids

• Fundamentals of charge transport in solids.
• Free electrons and bound electrons.
• Band structure and Bloch’s theorem.
• Electronic dispersion relations.
• Electronic density of states.
• Fermi–Dirac distribution.
• Metals, semiconductors, and insulators.
• Determination of electronic structure and related characterization techniques.
• Applications to nanomaterials.

IV. Semiconductor Materials and Technological Applications

• Charge carriers in semiconductors and the concept of holes.
• Motion of electrons and holes under an applied electric field.
• Carrier concentration and the law of mass action.
• Direct and indirect band-gap semiconductors.
• Doped semiconductors.
• Fundamentals of semiconductor devices: diodes, transistors, and field-effect transistors.
• Applications in electronics and photonics.

V. Lattice Vibrations and Thermal Properties of Solids

• Comparison between molecular vibrations and lattice vibrations in crystalline solids.
• Vibrational dispersion relations.
• Acoustic and optical branches.
• The concept of phonons.
• Vibrational density of states.
• Debye frequency.
• Spectroscopic techniques for the study of lattice vibrations.
• Thermal properties of solids.
• Dulong–Petit law and deviations at low temperatures.

VI. Dielectric and Optical Properties of Materials

• Static and dynamic polarizability.
• Dielectric function.
• Macroscopic response of materials to electromagnetic radiation.
• Absorption, reflection, elastic and inelastic scattering.
• Lorentz model.
• Complex refractive index and its relationship with the dielectric function.
• Free electrons and plasmon resonance.
• Applications in energy, catalysis, and environmental technologies.
• Principles of laser operation and their applications in chemistry and materials science.

S.Elliott: The physics and chemistry of solids

C.Kittel: Introduction to solid state physics

Assessment of learning outcomes is carried out through an oral examination, which may include the discussion of quantitative exercises or problems.

The oral examination aims to assess students’ knowledge and understanding of the topics covered in the course, with particular reference to the structure of crystalline materials, structural characterization methods, electronic structure of solids, properties of semiconductor materials, lattice vibrations, and dielectric and optical properties of materials.

The examination may include the discussion of quantitative problems related to the topics developed during the course, aimed at evaluating the ability to apply theoretical models and physical–chemical relationships to the interpretation of material properties.

The final evaluation will consider the mastery of the course contents, the ability to correlate microscopic structure and macroscopic properties, the ability to apply theoretical models, the autonomy in problem analysis, and the appropriate use of scientific terminology.

The questions and possible exercises proposed during the examination cover the topics addressed throughout the course and are aimed at assessing the understanding of the fundamental principles of physical chemistry of materials, the ability to correlate material structure and properties, and the ability to apply theoretical models.

No predefined or recurring examination questions are provided; questions are formulated according to the topics actually covered during the course.