Course content

Crystal structures and symmetry elements. Descriptive crystal chemistry. Bonding in solids. Defects and non-stoichiometry. X-ray and neutron diffraction. Surface tension, wetting, capillary rise. Surface thermodynamics. Dispersive systems and colloids. Electrical propeties of surfaces. Solid-solution interfaces, corrosion.

Learning outcome

Important study objectives are the the student after course completion is able to:

- Reproduce basic definitions related to crystal lattices.
- Define and reproduce important crystal structures (rock salt, wurzite, perovskite and others).
- Describe the application of ionic radii and principles of bonding in ionic crystals.
- Explain the existence and consequences of energy bands in crystalline solids (metals v. insulators).
- Describe the production and characteristics of X-ray diffraction and equipment.
- Explain the underlying principles of X-ray diffraction as constructive and destructive interference.
- Derive Bragg's law.
- Explain why atoms scatter X-rays anisotropically/atom form factors.
- Explain the thermodynamics of defects.
- Define surface tension, contact angle, adsorption, surfactants.
- Account for electrical double layers and the repulsive interaction between two such double layers.
- Describe the attractive interaction between colloidal particles in solution.
- Assess colloidal stability.
- Assess the stability of a metal under given chemical conditions (aqueous solutions) given its Pourbaix diagram and explain galvanic corrosion.
- Explain anodic and cathodic protection.
- Perform quantitative calculations/assessments related to the concepts above: find symmetries, calculate lattice energies and enthalpies of formation (Born-Haber cycle), calculations involving structure factors, indexing of simple diffractograms, calculations associated with capillarity and wetting (Laplace- and Kelvin-equations), calculate surface concentration from data for surface tension as a function of surfactant concentration, calculate activation energy for colloidal coagulation for an electrically stabilized colloid , mass loss for a corroding metal.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, problem sets and laboratory work. One mandatory laboratory exercise. 2/3 of the problems sets must be approved to give acess to final exam. If there is a re-sit examination, the examination form may be changed from written to oral.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

Basic knowledge of chemistry and physics.

Course materials

A. R. West, Basic Solid State Chemistry, John Wiley & Sons, New York (2005), ISBN 0-471-98756-5. R. Tunold, Korrosjon, Trondheim (1993). Textbook for the surface chemistry part to be announced.