Inorganic Chemistry practical work

The main aim of the Inorganic Chemistry Practical Work is to demonstrate the correlations between the methods used to synthesize inorganic materials, their composition, structure, properties and applications. Students progress from the synthesis of a family of materials through characterization to their application. Practical work takes place over five four-hour experimental sessions, followed by a session devoted to presentations in English, in collaboration with English teachers.

The pedagogical objectives of this practical work are as follows:

- Posing a scientific problem ;

- Comparing synthesis methods ;

- Interpret and discuss experimental material characterization results;

- Give a scientific talk in English;

- Use the various modes of scientific communication: extracts from books, theses, publications, in French or English.

Students are divided into quadrangles and work on one of the proposed themes:

- Nickel hydroxides for batteries ;

- Ferroelectric ceramics for capacitors ;

- Optical applications of rare earth doping in glass ;

- Transparent conductive oxides for photovoltaic cells ;

- Mechanical properties of metal-ceramic composites.

Within the framework of the proposed theme, each quadrangle chooses to address a problem that it defines itself. These issues are gradually worked out during the first few sessions, based on discussions with the teacher. The approach can be illustrated using one of the proposed themes: ferroelectric ceramics for capacitors. Some of the issues that could be addressed include: (i) analyzing the sintering of a ceramic, (ii) optimizing the capacitance of a capacitor by varying its composition or microstructure, (iii) correlating crystallographic structure with dielectric properties.

A wide range of inorganic chemistry synthesis methods are available: ceramic route, precipitation, hydrothermal synthesis, sol-gel synthesis, precursor method, melting and quenching, aerosol pyrolysis, sputtering, powder metallurgy. Characterization methods include X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermal measurements, UV-visible spectroscopy, atomic absorption and emission spectroscopy, electrical measurements and mechanical measurements.

Inorganic Chemistry and Materials