This is the first part of Introduction to Solid State Chemistry

1. Solid State Chemistry
Introduction to Solid State Chemistry
PART I
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2. Outline
Introduction
Why study solid state chemistry?
Phases of Matter
Types of Solids
Isotropy and Anisotropy
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3. Introduction
Solid state chemistry is the branch of chemistry that focuses on the
study of the synthesis, structure, and properties of solid materials,
such as crystals, glasses, and ceramics.
It involves understanding the arrangement of atoms and molecules
within solids, as well as how these arrangements affect the physical,
chemical, and electronic properties of materials.
Solid-state in Chemistry is concerned mainly with crystalline
inorganic materials, their synthesis, structures, properties and
applications.
It is also sometimes called as Materials Chemistry.
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4. Introduction
In solid-state chemistry, we study the concept of a compound in a
more deeper level.
It basically helps us understand the compound from a molecular
level to the crystal structure level.
It has a strong overlap with solid state physics,
mineralogy, crystallography, ceramics, metallurgy, thermodynamics,
materials science and electronics with a focus on the synthesis of
novel materials and their characterization.
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5. Why study solid state chemistry?
Materials design and development: Studying solid state chemistry
helps us to design and engineer new materials with specific
properties, such as superconductors, catalysts, or semiconductors,
for various applications in technology, medicine, and industry.
Understanding structure-property relationships: By understanding
how the arrangement of atoms and molecules in solids affects their
properties, we can develop a deeper knowledge of the behavior of
materials and predict their properties based on their chemical
structure.
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6. Why study solid state chemistry?
Energy storage and conversion: Solid state chemistry plays a crucial
role in developing new materials for energy storage devices, such as
batteries and fuel cells, as well as for catalytic processes used in
energy conversion systems.
Environmental applications: Solid state chemistry can help us
develop materials for environmental remediation, such as adsorbents
for removing pollutants from water and air, or materials for
capturing and storing greenhouse gases.
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7. Phases of Matter
There are three fundamental phases of matter: solid, liquid, and
gas (vapour) which have been known for many years as we studied
in physics and chemistry classes.
In recent times, matter has been studied at the very high
temperatures and pressures which typically occur on the Sun, or
during re-entry from space.
Under these conditions, the atoms themselves begin to break down;
electrons are stripped from their orbit around the nucleus leaving a
positively charged ion behind.
The resulting mixture of neutral atoms, free electrons, and charged
ions is called a plasma.
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8. Phases of Matter
A plasma has some unique qualities that causes scientists to label it
a fourth phase of matter.
A plasma is a fluid, like a liquid or gas, but because of the charged
particles present in a plasma, it responds to and generates
electro-magnetic forces.
When a phase of matter in one form is altered to another form, a
phase change occur.
Liquids and Gases together form the Condensed Matter.
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9. Solids
Solids consist of atoms or molecules undergoing thermal
motion about their equilibrium positions, which are at
fixed points in space.
Solids (at a given temperature, pressure, volume) have
stronger inter-atomic bonds than liquids.
Solids require more energy to break the inter-atomic bonds
than liquids.
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10. Properties of Solids
Solids are incompressible, meaning the constituent particles are
arranged close to each other and because of that, there is negligible
space between the particles.
Solids are rigid. This is due to lack of space between the
constituent particles which make them rigid or fixed.
Solids have definite mass, volume and shape due to which it has a
compact arrangement of constituent particles.
The inter-molecular distance between molecules is short. Due to
this, the force between the constituent particles (atoms, molecules
or ions) is very strong.
The constituents particles in solids can only oscillate about their
mean positions.
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11. Classification of Solids
Solids are classified on the basis of following:
1
Based on various properties.
2
Based on bonding present in building blocks.
On the basis of various properties solids can be
classified as:
1
Crystalline solid [single crystal or poly
crystalline].
2
Amorphous solid [Non-Crystalline Solids].
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12. Crystalline Solids
A crystalline solid is one in which atoms, molecules or ions are
arranged in a regular manner with respect to each other.
The atoms, molecules or ions are situated in a repeating or periodic
array over large atomic distances.
There is long range order in crystalline solids and upon
solidification, the atoms will position themselves in a repetitive 3-D
pattern in which each atom is bonded to its nearest neighbor atoms.
Crystalline solids are built up of metallic crystals or non-metallic
crystals.
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13. Metallic Crystals
Metallic crystals are used extensively because of their strength,
ductility, conductivity and reflection.
They have short strong bonds and high density.
Examples:
Face-centred cubic (FCC) e.g. Cu, Ag, Al, Ni, Pb.
Body-centred cubic (BCC) e.g. W, Mo, Cr.
Hexagonal close-packed (HCP) e.g. Mg, Zn, Ti, Cd, Zr.
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