Module manager: Michaele Hardie
Email: M.Hardie@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
Completion of level 1 of a Materials Science or Chemistry programme similar to that at Leeds, or equivalent.
| CHEM2112 | Chemistry of Materials: what they are and how we know |
| CHEM2331 | Molecules, Energy, Quanta and Change |
CHEM2111, CHEM2231
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module addresses inorganic solid state structures, materials and how they are synthesised, characterised and understood. Important characterisation and structure determination techniques will be addressed, with illustrative examples that highlight the importance and diversity of materials applications to be found in everyday life. The module will also provide students with an understanding of energy levels and quantum chemistry.
On completion of this module students should be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of inorganic solid state chemistry, quantum mechanics and spectroscopy to solve chemical problems.
- Apply mathematical skills to solve problems in inorganic solid state chemistry, quantum mechanics and spectroscopy.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes:
1. Demonstrate and understanding of the fundamental properties of inorganic solid state materials.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the synthesis and characterisation techniques of inorganic solid state materials.
3. Apply the principles of inorganic solid state synthesis and characterisation to propose appropriate synthetic pathways and characterisation techniques.
4. Explain basic quantum mechanics of chemical bonding.
5. Explain and rationalise the fundamentals of thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, quantum mechanics and spectroscopy, and apply these to the solution of a range of theoretical and applied problems.
6. Explain quantum mechanical models of atomic and molecular orbitals and how these account for molecular structure.
7. Perform more complex algebraic manipulations and calculations, including applications of polar spherical coordinates. Demonstrate competence using partial derivatives to find solutions to differential equations involving more than one variable.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills:
a. Manage time and plan work to meet deadlines.
b. Use the principles of , inorganic solid state chemistry, quantum mechanics and spectroscopy to solve unseen problems.
c. Mathematical problem-solving within the context of inorganic solid state chemistry, quantum mechanics and spectroscopy.
1. Crystals, Bravais lattices, lattice planes and Miller indices. Important simple close-packed and non-close packed structures, and more complicated structure types such as rutile, perovskites and spinel. Rationalising structural chemistry of ionic solids: radius ratio rules; thermodynamics.
2. Solid state synthesis methods: ceramic, sol gel, hydrothermal, chemical vapour deposition and other methods. Bottom-up synthesis.
3. Crystallography: symmetry in crystals; disorder in crystal structures; X-rays and diffraction; basics of single crystal crystallography; powder diffraction and indexing; neutron diffraction.
4. Characterisation techniques and examples: electron and scanning probe microscopies; X-ray emission and absorption spectroscopies; photoelectron spectroscopy and other relevant spectroscopic techniques; thermal techniques.
5. Quantum mechanics: Schrodinger equation and particle-in-a-box, application to translational, rotational and vibrational motion
6. Quantum mechanical picture of bonding: H2+ and H2, linear combination of atomic orbitals
Methods of assessment
The assessment details for this module will be provided at the start of the academic year
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 44 | 1 | 44 |
| Seminar | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Private study hours | 152 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 48 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
There will be the opportunity for students to submit written work prior to four tutorials. The tutor will mark and return the feedback.
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team