Lectures on: the solid state; elements of X-ray diffraction; X-ray crystallography and other non-destructive X-ray methods (fluorescence, tomography and others).
Laboratory practice on: single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction data collection and analysis; X-ray fluorescence; X-ray microtomography analyses; synthesis of magnetic nanostructured material; synthesis of high-Tc superconductor material; magnetic and morpho-structural characterization of the synthesized materials.
Crystal Structure Analysis, Principles and Practice. IUCr Texts on Crystallallography 13, edited by William Clegg.
Coey J.M.D. Magnetism and Magnetic Materials Cambridge University Press, UK, 2009
Learning Objectives
The course aims at providing some of the fundamental concepts of the solid state with emphasis on structure-property (magnetic, electronic, optical, etc.) and structure-function (sensing, energy storage, etc.) relationships. The student will gain competences in crystallography and other X-ray based characterization techniques and will be introduced to the main technological applications of solid-state materials. Among the different classes of materials, nanostructured magnetic and superconducting materials will be described in detail. The students will be introduced to the physical properties of nanomagnets with particular emphasis on magnetic nanoparticles. A brief introduction on the main technological fields of application of this class of materials will be also provided.
The course will also give a short overview on superconductivity, starting from basic physical principles of type I and type II superconductivity to the most common technology applications of these materials.
Prerequisites
General, organic and inorganic chemistry.
Teaching Methods
Lectures (32h) and laboratory practice (24h)
Type of Assessment
The final exam will consist of a written report, followed by a discussion, which should present both theoretical and practical aspects related to the solid state characterization of a given solid sample from a chemistry and/or materials science point of view.
Course program
Classification of materials. Introduction to the solid state (band structure, symmetry elements, lattices, point groups, Laue classes, crystal systems, Bravais lattices, space groups). Elements of X-ray diffraction (both from single crystal and microcrystalline material), X-ray crystallography and other non-destructive X-ray techniques (X-ray fluorescence and X-ray microtomography).
Single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction data collection and analysis, X-ray fluorescence and X-ray microtomography analyses.
Techniques for growing x-ray-diffraction-quality single crystals. Dependence of the properties of the materials from the defects at the solid state. Materials classifications. Basic overview on alloys.
Magnetic nanoparticles. single domain structure and superparamagnetism: the Stone-Wohlfarth model; spin dynamics in magnetic nanoparticles; magnetic anisotropy; exchange coupling at the nanoscale; methods of preparation; main field of applications: biomedicine, permanent magnets, magnetic recording and electronic devices.
Introduction to Superconductivity. Magnetic and phenomenological properties of superconducting materials. Meissner effect. Theory of Superconductivity. Pinning effect. Structural properties of high Temperature superconductors. Traditional and more advanced applications.
Short overview on ceramic, metallic, polymers and composite materials.