Prerequisites: CHM 442/CHM 342
Course Contents
Introduction: (4)
Variety of inorganic (traditional to advanced) materials, Importance of Structural/refractory, Electronic and Bio-materials, Oxide superconductors and novel materials. Description of crystals, Bonding, Inorganuc structures, Silicates and Alluminosilicates, Polytypism, Nanocrystalline/amorphous solids.
Characterization techniques: (Working Knowledge) (4)
X-ray diffraction, Electron and Neutron Diffraction, AFM / SEM / TEM, Thermal(TG / DTG / DTA / DSC) and BET technique, XAS, EPR, IR, UV- Visible.
Reactivity of Solids: (4)
Decomposition and reactivity, Solid state reactions, Sintering process, Reaction kinetics, organic solid reactions, Nanomaterials and Heterogeneous catalysts.
Conventional techniques/ceramic procedures: (3)
Powder mixing, Fusion, Precipitation from solution, modern need for improved synthetic routes, Crystal growth and thin film techniques.
Sol-gel synthesis: (6)
Colloids, Cation hydrolysis and sol formation, Gel precipitation, Sol-Gel process for colloids, synthesis and Physical properties of Metal alkoxides, Development of Sol-Gel process from alkoxides, derived coatings, fibers and monodispersed submicron / nanostructured oxide powders, Ormosils, Sialons.
Non-aqueous liquid phase reactions: (4)
Reactions of chlorosilanes with ammonia, amines in liquid phase, Synthesis of non-oxide materials: Silicon Nitride, Metal-Borides, Carbides, Nitrides, Fluorides: Metal-Silicides, Phosphides, Sulfides and related materials.
Polymer pyrolysis: (2)
Synthesis of Polysilanes, Polycarbosilane, Silicon Carbide fibers, polysilastyrene, Nitride / Oxynitride-Fibers, Composites, Monoliths and coatings.
Hydrothermal synthesis: (2)
Forced hydrolysis at elevated temperatures and pressures, Hydrothermal reactions using salt solutions, Metal reactants and reactions involving phase transformation.
Precursor Technique: (3)
Citrate-gel process, Metallo-organic precursors, Metal alkoxides.
Gas phase reactions: (2)
Gas-Phase nucleation, Flame hydrolyzed powders, Direct - nitridation and carbothermic reduction, Non-plasma gas phase reactions, Plasma reactions, Electron Beam evaporation.
Freeze-drying and Rapid expansion of supercritical solutions (Nebulized spray pyrolysis). (2)
Special reactions: (8)
Topochemical reactions, Intercalation reactions, Ion-exchange method, Molten Salt method, Electrochemical methods, Chemical vapour deposition, Reactions at high pressures, Intergrown structures.
Laser - abelation, Arc and Skull methods. (2)
