- Credits: 3
- SSD: CHIM/02
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Ravenna
- Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Chemistry of Materials and Ceramic Technologies (cod. 0492)
Learning outcomes
The course deals with the description of various condensed phases of matter and with the molecular origins of the properties of a number of materials. In particular we discuss, also with the help of the results of computer simulation techniques (
Course contents
The condensed phases of matter and the qualitative description of their structure in terms of molecular ordering. Crystals and some of their typical optical (birefringence) and mechanical (Young modulus) features. Liquids. Liquid crystals and their applications as advanced materials: nematics (functioning of Twisted Nematic Liquid Crystal Displays), smectics, discotics (columnar phases and molecular wires). Liotropic phases, micelles,liposomes, bilayers. Polymers and colloids.
Phase transitions and their classifications (Ehrenfest e Landau - deGennes). Supercritical solvents and their applications. Metastability and glassy state. Nanoporous systems, artificial zeolites (e.g. MCM41): preparation via self-assembly and templating.
X-ray diffraction and its applications. Bragg’s law. Single crystal and powder spectra. X-ray of amorphous materials, polymers, glasses. SAXS.
Interactions between molecules and colloidal particles. Hard spheres, Lennard-Jones, electrostatic interactions (charge, dipole, quadrupole). Induction and dispersion forces. The effect of the interaction range on the aggregation states of condensed matter and colloids.
Relative importance of the different type of forces in solution. Interaction between colloidal particles. Elements of DLVO theory.
The relation between molecular and macroscopic propertie. A brief introduction to modelling and computer simulation techniques. Problems and perspectives.
Readings/Bibliography
I. W. Hamley , Introduction to Soft Matter : Polymers, Colloids, Amphiphiles and Liquid Crystals (Wiley,
Lecture notes and handouts.
Teaching methods
The lectures will be coordinated with those of the other teaching modules of the Integrated Course and with the activities of the Teaching Lab
Assessment methods
Assesment is through a written exam for the full integrated course. The exam consists of numerical exercises or, for the Physical Chemistry of Materials, of a short essay on a topic proposed between those covered in the course. An oral examination follows the written one.
Teaching tools
The lectures will be illustrated with video-projector -PC presentations.
Handouts of the slides wil be provided in advance of each lecture.