Inorganic materials: from color to energy transition

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

State the physical-chemical processes that explain the color of transition element compounds. Know how to use Tanabe Sugano diagrams.
Name the characterization techniques to be used to determine the structure and chemical formula of a material, and establish a realistic and coherent chemical formula using the results obtained. In particular, determine the degrees of oxidation and electronic configurations of ions on the basis of magnetic measurements.
Make links between the structure/chemical formula (degrees of oxidation of ions, configurations, stoichiometry) and certain properties (electrical conduction, color) of materials.
Describe the structure and application properties of high value-added materials (e.g. zeolites)
Choose a synthesis method suited to the material you wish to obtain and determine the characteristics of the materials obtained.


Establish relationships between the electronic structure of coordination compounds (or complexes) and their optical and magnetic properties.
Discuss the origin of the stability of a complex.
Predict the reactivity of a complex.
Propose synthesis strategies to obtain a compound with the desired property (magnetic in particular).
Interpret and predict the magnetic properties of simple materials.
Describe the major challenges of the energy transition
Present one or more innovative materials for the energy transition, based on a set of scientific publications.

This module is compulsory for the 3A SCE specialization, and is of interest for the MPI4.0 and NMT specializations. This module is also recommended for the S8 MINOF module.

Inorganic Chemistry and Solids (1A)

Quantum Chemistry, Group Theory (1A)
Electronic structure of transition elements and spectroscopies
Chemical bonding: from the Lewis formula to the molecular orbital diagram of simple molecules

Part I: Solid State Chemistry and Materials 26h40 (14 CM + 6TD) CSMAT L. Demourgues and Maël Pontoreau
Synthesis methods in inorganic chemistry (M. Pontoreau)
Introduction to synthesis methods

different types of materials
properties and uses
selection criteria
resources and recycling
presentation of the principle, advantages and disadvantages of the main synthesis methods

Solid-state synthesis

general aspects
carbothermal reduction, combustion synthesis, ceramic synthesis and sintering

Sol-gel synthesis

definitions
the different stages : hydrolysis, condensation, gelation, ageing, drying, densification
main applications

Hydrothermal synthesis

introduction
equipment
examples of materials

Synthesis of glasses in molten salt media

definition, principle of obtaining a glass
structural description of a glass
silicates
industrial processes used to manufacture glasses

Mechanosynthesis

introduction
grinding conditions
mechanisms involved

The color of transition element compounds. Spectroscopic terms. Electronic spectra and color (L. Demourgues)

A first approach to color
Spectroscopic terms
Color and charge transfer
Electronic spectra and color
Tanabe Sugano diagrams

Magnetic properties of materials (L. Demourgues)

Magnetic susceptibility
Free ion paramagnetism
Magnetic orders
Magnetism of compounds, examples (perovskites, spinels... )

Examples and applications (L. Demourgues)
Titanium and anti-UV properties, iron and magnetism, cobalt and energy storage...
Porous materials: Zeolites and related structures, lamellar materials (catalysis, molecular sieving or trapping, insertion structures for electrodes... etc)

Part II: Molecular inorganic materials 16h (8 CM + 4 TD) MIMOL C. Mathonière
Introduction: some contemporary applications of complexes
Structure and electronic properties of mononuclear coordination compounds.

Reminder of crystal field theory. Optical properties of coordination compounds.
The molecular orbital model. Spectrochemical series.
Magnetic properties of mononuclear coordination compounds. Curie's Law.
Application: the phenomenon of spin conversion. Molecular bistability.

Stability and reactivity of coordination compounds

Ligands and the most common geometries of coordination compounds.
Stability of complexes: thermodynamic and kinetic aspects. Reaction mechanisms of complexes (substitution and electron transfer). Examples.

Synthesis and magnetism of polynuclear coordination compounds

Synthesis strategies.
Magnetic properties of polynuclear compounds.
Towards magnetic and photomagnetic molecular materials. The example of compounds of the Prussian Blue family.


Part III: Innovative materials for the energy transition 8 h (3 CM + 3 reversed class slots) MINTE

Introduction to the energy transition (3 integrated lecture + TD slots 4h) G. Wantz
Reversed class (3 slots totalling 4h): 2 slots dedicated to the exploitation of scientific documents with the help of the teachers and 1 slot dedicated to an oral presentation of these materials in front of all the students. G. Wantz + L. Guerlou-Demourgues

References
- Chimie inorganique - Huhey, Keiter et Keiter (1996 Ed. De Boeck université)
- Chimie générale - Mc Quarrie et Rock (Ed. De Boeck université)
- Chimie inorganique - A. Casalot et A. Durupthy (Ed. Hachette Supérieur)
- Principe de chimie - Gray et Haight (Ed. Ediscience)
- Cours de chimie physique - Paul Arnaud (Ed. Dunod)
- Chimie générale M.Garric (Ed. Dunod)
- Colour and the optical properties of materials, R. Tilley, WILEY.
- Introduction à la chimie du solide, L. Smart, E. Moore, MASSON.
- Scientific publications provided by teachers
- KETTLE S. J. Physico-chimie inorganique 1999 Ed. De Boeck
- DRAGO R. S. Physical Methods for Chemists 1992 Ed. Saunders College
- KAHN O. Structure électronique des éléments de transition 1977 Ed. PUF