Browse Hierarchy QXU4001: Molecules to Materials

The role of chemistry in materials science. The module will begin with the description of chemical bonding in atomic systems. Students will be given an understanding of how atomic orbitals are derived and what they actually mean. This will be used as a basis to explain group and period behaviour in the periodic table. This will be developed further into molecular bond systems such as hybrid bonding (Sp3, Sp2 etc) as well as very basic descriptions of molecular orbital theory. Students will learn how to use these concepts to define molecular shape and behaviour. Students will also learn how these shapes and bond types are important in chemical reactions that form materials, for example polymer synthesis. This will be done by providing a discussion on basic organic chemistry reaction mechanisms. The module will continue to show how bonding changes in materials, band theory will be introduced and described using semiconductor materials as an example. The module will introduce topics such as acid-base theory, thermochemistry, chemical thermodynamics and kinetics. These will be explored using selected examples of organic chemistry relevant for polymer chemistry and materials functionalisation providing support to subsequent modules such as Polymer Chemistry and Chemistry for Materials.