University of Technology Sydney

65509 Inorganic Chemistry 2

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Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Science: Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 65411 Inorganic Chemistry 1

Description

This subject is based on the chemistry of advanced inorganic materials. The subject introduces students to key theoretical concepts of inorganic materials and how they apply to the real world through examples of research and case studies. Topics covered include structural aspects of crystalline prototype structures leading to advanced inorganic structures as well as the bond theory and electrochemical chemistry of inorganic materials. The subject builds on concepts introduced in 65411 Inorganic Chemistry 1 to aid the development of models for the understanding of the observed crystallographic, spectroscopic and other physical and chemical properties of these materials.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. Understand basic crystalline prototype structures and be able to apply and extend this understanding to more advanced inorganic and bioinorganic structures.
2. Apply basic theories learned in Inorganic Chemistry 1 to advanced materials.
3. Synthesise fundamental spectroscopic and crystallographic principles to evaluate the use of materials in the growing field of medical applications.
4. Conduct experiments to determine the physical, spectroscopic and crystallographic properties of some advanced inorganic materials.
5. Collect, analyse and interpret experimental data as well as present results graphically and in written form as a laboratory report.
6. Collect, evaluate, organise and synthesise scholarly based information.
7. Develop the ability to work both individually and collaboratively.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:

  • Demonstrate theoretical and technical knowledge of organic, inorganic, analytical, and physical chemistry and be able to explain specialised knowledge in one or more sub-disciplines. (1.1)
  • Evaluate scientific evidence and apply effective experimental design, analysis and critical thinking to test current chemistry knowledge. (2.1)
  • Work autonomously or in teams to address workplace or community problems utilising best scientific practice, and to act safely and responsibly in chemistry laboratory and practical settings. (3.1)
  • Design creative solutions to contemporary chemistry-related issues by incorporating innovative methods, reflective practices and self-directed learning. (4.1)
  • Effectively communicate concepts and scientific discovery in chemistry using different formats to present information in professional or public settings. (5.1)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

The Faculty of Science lists six graduate attributes that you will develop during your course at UTS. This subject is intended to develop five of those attributes:

1. Disciplinary knowledge

Students will develop a knowledge of the structure and properties of advanced inorganic and bioinorganic materials. This knowledge is applied in the laboratory sessions and in the journal database research assignment. Assessment of the acquired knowledge is through the submitted laboratory reports, the group oral presentation and through the exams.

2. Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking

During laboratory classes students will take An Inquiry-oriented approach to investigations of the physical and chemical properties of advanced inorganic and bioinorganic materials. Students will be able to extend their knowledge by using electronic databases to produce a group oral report relating to the current scientific literature in these fields.

3. Professional, Ethical and Social Responsibility

Students will develop analytical skills and data handling skills specific to the field of applied inorganic chemistry in the laboratory classes. In addition, students develop the ability to work collaboratively in teams in both the laboratory classes and via the preparation of a group report for the journal database research assignment. Assessment of the developed skills is through the submitted laboratory reports and the preparation of a group oral presentation.

4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity

This refers to the ability to acquire, develop, employ and integrate a range of technical, practical and professional skills. The students develop innovative thinking through creative problem-solving, using analytical and experimental approches within the practical component of the subject, including the recording and reporting of their experimental results. All experiments are written up as formal reports in which students are encouraged to adopt a reporting style found in journal publications.

5. Communication

Students will further develop their scientific communications skills through the presentation of experimental findings and data as laboratory reports and in their group oral presentation.

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject is delivered via 12 x 1 hour weekly lectures, 12 x 1 hour weekly workshops and 6 x 3 hour laboratory sessions. Student group oral presentations are conducted towards the end of the semester. You will demonstrate your learning of the modules in this subject by completing two major assignment tasks. In the practical classes you will develop your practical and professional skills by conducting experiments in small teams, collect, analyse and interpret data and write up results as a short lab report. The journal database research assignment provides opportunities to work in a collaborative learning environment. Immediate verbal feedback on your progress in the laboratory is provided at the end of each practical class by way of an "exit checklist". Written feedback on your progress is provided for your laboratory reports and group oral presentation. Lecture notes, sample problems and laboratory experimental notes are all available in Canvas.

Students are expected to familiarise themselves with the experiments before attending practical classes. Information is available in the Laboratory Manual and Canvas. Students work in pairs to investigate aspects of inorganic materials through hands-on experiments.

Content (topics)

Module 1: Theories of Electronic Structure

  • Molecular orbital theory for diatomic molecules
  • Molecular orbital theory for multiple atoms molecules
  • Bond order
  • MO for the interaction between the ligands and metal centre of the transition metal complex
  • From MO to Band Theory

Module 2: Crystalline solid states

  • Band Theory of 3D Solids
  • Doping of Semiconductors (p-n junctions, solar cell, photodiodes, LED)
  • Crystalline solid states (Metallic Solids, Ionic crystal structures)
  • Basic solid-state structures
  • Introduction to X-ray diffraction analysis and application

Module 3: Advanced solid-state structures

  • Perovskites and spinels
  • Correlation between spinel structure and crystal field stabilisation energies
  • Prediction of spinel structure
  • Infrared and Raman spectroscopy of bioceramic materials

Module 4: Applications of the solid-state materials

  • Electrochemical applications
  • Application on the energy storage and conversion
  • Application of the clean energy generation

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Major assessment tasks

Intent:

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes:

1. Disciplinary knowledge and its appropriate application

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

1, 2, 3 and 6

This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s):

1.1

Type: Exercises
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 40%
Criteria:

Correctness and clarity of responses to questions.

Assessment task 2: Practical reports

Intent:

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes:

1. Disciplinary knowledge

2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking

3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility

4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity

5.Communication

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7

This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s):

1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1

Type: Laboratory/practical
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 40%
Criteria:

Reports will be assessed on:

Scientific presentation of data (graphs, tables, significant figures)

Accuracy of calcultions where required

Presentation of diagrams where appropriate

Clarity of answers

Interpretation of results

Correct responses to questions

Assessment task 3: Journal database research assignment

Intent:

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes:

1. Disciplinary knowledge

2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking

4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity

5. Communication

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

1, 2, 4, 5 and 7

This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s):

1.1, 2.1, 4.1 and 5.1

Type: Presentation
Groupwork: Group, group assessed
Weight: 20%
Criteria:

Submission of detailed electronic journal database search history (25%) and group oral report (75%). The criteria for the group oral report is discussion of research context, quality of graphics and slides, logical order of presentation and explanation of research paper results.

Recommended texts

Mark T Weller, Inorganic Materials Chemistry, Oxford University Press, 1994, ISBN 0 19 85 5798 1

Other resources

N N Greenwood and A Earnshaw, Chemistry of the Elements, 2nd ed, Butterworth Heinemann, 1997, ISBN 0 7506 3365 4

S F A Kettle, Physical Inorganic Chemistry, Spektrum, 1996, ISBN 0 7167 4554 2

F A Cotton, G Wilkinson, C A Murillo and M Bochmann, Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, 6th ed, Wiley-Interscience, 1999, ISBN 0 471 19957 5