CHEM 713/7130 - Inorganic Solid State Materials

Semester: Winter 2024

Professor: H. Kleinke | Discipline: Inorganic | Campus: Waterloo

Description

This course is concerned with the relations between crystal structure and electronic structure. The major goal is to understand and be able to predict materials properties solely based on the structure. Basic knowledge of simple solid state structures (e.g. NaCl, TiO2, CdI2, NiAs, MoS2 etc.) is highly recommended.

Structure/materials families will comprise metals, semiconductors, superconductors, and (Mott and topological) insulators.

Topics include a short review of crystallography, solid state synthesis, bonding concepts (MO theory), electronic structure calculations, and transport properties. Students will do their own calculations.

Course learning objectives

  • understand the principles of solid state structures
  • understand and be able to estimate electronic structures of solids
  • understand and be able to calculate electronic structures of solids
  • utilize the electronic structures of solids to predict physical properties

Materials

Recommended books:

–   A. R. West, Solid State Chemistry and its Applications, Student Edition, John Wiley, ISBN 9781119942948.

–   R. Hoffmann, Solids and Surfaces, VCH, ISBN 0-19-508992-8.

–   J. K. Burdett, Chemical Bonding in Solids, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-508992-8.

–   C. Kittel, Introduction to Solid State Physics, John Wiley, ISBN 0-471-11181-3.

Class notes: on LEARN/MS Teams

Evaluation

4 – 5 assignments (10%), one presentation (40%), one 2.5 hour final (50%). Routinely check the course home page on LEARN for important due dates.

Only when Verification of Illness Forms (VIF) are provided, the instructor will schedule make-up exams.

Lab/Project

Course topics

  • ionic and molecular solid state structures
  • solid state synthesis methods
  • electronic structures of solids
  • calculation methods for the electronic structures of solids
  • transport properties

Expectation of student commitment to the course

6 – 9 hours per week

Schedule

  • Mon: 7:00 pm - 9:20 pm in C2 278

Office Hours

Please use the Teams’ chat for general questions.