Entry requirements

Degree at the basic level corresponding to at least 180 credits, including 75 credits within chemistry and/or engineering chemistry. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to: 

• relate the molecular structure, chemical bonding, and key characteristics of metallic, inorganic and polymer solid state structures to their physicochemical properties,
• judge specific crystal structures by applying basic crystallographic concepts,
• construct and interpret unary, binary and ternary phase diagrams and explain central concepts in connection to phase transformation,
• apply thermodynamic principles to explain metastable phases and to rationalise the presence of defects 
• present typical diffusion mechanisms in gases, liquids and solids as well as describe and apply relevant models for analysing such diffusion phenomena,
• present the origins of central concepts relating to the electronic properties of materials such as redox potential and conductivity, and the factors that affect them,
• relate how the properties of polymers, e.g. chain structure, functionality and polarity affect their solubility and behaviour in solution,
• analyze properties (e.g. diffusion coefficient, redox potential, etc.) of materials experimentally and relate them to their structure, bonding and other characteristic.

Content

Fundamentals regarding the solid state, including selected structural examples. Included in this is an overview of material categories, their properties, and how the structure of solids can be determined and described through the use of crystallography. The connection between chemical structure / bonding and material properties (particularly for common battery materials) is discussed and deepened, while defects, doping, substitutions and the role of grain boundaries are treated. The interpretation and construction of unary, binary and ternary phase diagrams are discussed, as well as basic thermodynamics of materials including the concepts of metastability and phase transformations. Basic diffusion theory, as applied to the solid state, liquids and at interfaces is described. Electronic properties of materials, including conductivity, band structure and the link between bonding, structure and redox properties. Furthermore, the course includes aspects of polymer science, including descriptions of morphology, crystallinity, mechanical properties and polymer solutions. The importance of the properties of different materials will be emphasised in the context of batteries where applicable. Various types of redox active materials used in batteries (intercalation, alloy, conversion).

Instruction

Lectures, seminars and laboratory work.

Assessment

Written test at the end of the course (6 credits). Active participation in seminars (2 credits). Active participation in the laboratory classes (2 credits). 

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.

Other directives

Courses which cannot be included in the degree together with Materials Chemistry for Batteries: 

- Materials Chemistry 1KB210 

- Solid State Chemistry 1KB211 

- Materials Chemistry 1KB230 

- Materials Chemistry for Additive Manufacturing 1KB233 

- Polymer Technology 1KB236