Materials Chemistry
- Atomic Structure from the Quantum Mechanics PerspectiveFundamentals: Quantization of energy and electromagnetic radiation, atomic spectra, wave-particle duality, the photoelectric effect, photonsDynamics of Microscopic Systems: Wave functions and the Schrdinger equation, the uncertainty principleApplied Quantum Mechanics: Particle in a box, radial and angular wave functions, energy levels, principal quantum numbers, probability density and atomic orbitals, electron spin, ionization energy and electron affinity
- Molecular Structures and InteractionsReview: Covalent bonding, Lewis structures, Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) modelIntroduction to Valence Bond theory, Hybridization, and the VSEPR modelMolecular Orbital theory: Electronic configuration of homonuclear and heteronuclear diatomic molecules, orbitals in polyatomic molecules, polar bonds
- Molecular solids, network solids, metallic solids, ionic solidsIonic solids: Lattice energy and the Born-Mayer equation, Born-Haber cycles and the effects of lattice energy on the properties of ionic solids
- Electrical properties of molecules: Electric dipole moment, molar polarization and polarizability, partial charge interactionsConducting and semiconducting materials: Electronic structure of solids, metallic bonding, formation of the Fermi surface and density of states, conductivity in semiconductors, optical properties of metals, semiconductors, and insulating materials, applications of semiconductors, superconductors, magnetic materials
- Glasses and Ceramics: Molecular structure, network formers and modifiers, properties of engineering glasses
- An Introduction to HydrocarbonsTypes of Aliphatic Hydrocarbons (Saturated and Unsaturated Hydrocarbons); Systematic Nomenclature; Cyclic Hydrocarbons
- Structural isomers, spatial isomers (geometric isomers and optical isomers); chiral compounds and optical activity; physical properties of aliphatic hydrocarbons and their relationship with bond types
- Reactivity of Aliphatic Hydrocarbons (Substitution reactions, Elimination reactions, Electrophilic addition reactions); Reaction mechanisms, mode of action, and the importance of using catalysts
- Aromatic Compounds (Arenes); Benzene and its family, nomenclature; reactivity (electrophilic substitution) in arenes and the reaction mechanism; - The role of substituents attached to the benzene ring in decreasing or increasing the rate of electrophilic substitution reactions.
- Hydrocarbons containing functional groups (haloalkanes, alcohols, ethers, phenols, ketones and aldehydes, carboxylic acids, esters, amines, amino acids, and amides) and their systematic nomenclature.
- Addition reactions for the production of polymers; plastics and an introduction to their monomers with a radical reaction mechanism in addition reactions; the general formula CHX=CH; the Ziegler-Natta catalyst.
- Condensation reactions in polymer production; Polyesters and polyamides, nylons as an interesting example of polymer production via the condensation method; determining the formula of polymers and monomers, Copolymers.Properties of polymers; The role of polymer chain length and the intermolecular forces governing density, melting point, viscosity, and mechanical strength.
- Crosslinking between polymer chains and the vulcanization process; thermoplastics and thermosets.Conductive polymers, and the engineering and design of single and double bonds within the polymer chain to achieve conductivity.
- Introduction to Biological Compounds (Proteins, Carbohydrates, and Nucleic Acids)
- Introduction to Nanomaterials