Course Overview

This course is devoted to the synthesis and elaboration of inorganic
materials. In the first section, mining technologies (thermal and
electrochemical metallurgy) are presented. The second section deals
with the various synthesis routes of inorganic oxides and other
ceramics.

Co-sintering (solid state route), mechano-synthesis, and numerous
solution routes (coprecipitation, autocombustion, spray pyrolysis,
sol-gel processes and hydrothermal synthesis) are compared. The third
section consists of a detailed focus on innovative sol-gel processes
with the aim of elaborating nanomaterials with controlled
morphology.Finally, in the last section, the shaping processes,
especially to design thin films (PVD, CVD) are presented. As a result,
various competencies about the  elaboration of inorganic materials
are acquired from an adequate mixture of magisterial lessons,
exercises and practical activities.

> MAIN DISCIPLINARY COMPETENCIES:

- Fundamental knowledge: Know the different material classes and
their main elaboration techniques, to apprehend these different
classes and techniques basing on solid-state chemist approach:
chemical bond description, structural behaviors, thermodynamic/kinetic
competition, etc.
- From knowledge to know-how: Know how to prepare pure inorganic
materials with one target chemical composition, one target
crystallographic structure and one target morphology (size/shape).
- Practical: Try out the adequate scientific approach in order to
reproduce an experiment of the literature (with the technical
possibilities offered by the Practical laboratories).

Learning Achievement

Competence

Course prerequisites

- Academic level: BSc
- Selection criteria: undergraduate level in chemistry or in physical
chemistry
- Language prerequisites: English or French
- Selection procedure: evaluation of the students CV

Grading Philosophy

> 1st session examinations (0-20)
- Intermediate 0.4 coef. - Final Exam (3h00): 0.5 coef. - Practical
reviews (made during the practical works): 0.1 coef.

> 2nd session examinations (0-20)

- Final Exam (3h00): 0.5 coef. (it can be oral examination depending
on the workforce) - Intermediate exam: 0.4 coef.: marks may be
reported or exam may be chosen depending on the student choice. In
case of exam: either an oral or a written exam will happen depending
on the workforce.  - Practical reviews (made during the practical
works): 0.1 coef. (report)

Course schedule

I.TRANSFORMATION PROCESSES IN MINERAL CHEMISTRY (MINING): (6 MEETINGS
X 1 HOUR 20)

- Bayer process: Alumina/Aluminum chemistry
- Kroll proces: Rutile-Anatase/Titanium chemistry
- Silicium; Process of silica transformation and
purification:illustration besides electronic and photovoltaic
requirements.

II. SYNTHESIS OF INORGANIC POWDER: (10 MEETINGS X 1 HOUR 20)

- All-solid routes for inorganic oxide preparation: Solid-sate route,
mechanosynthesis
- Solution routes for inorganic oxide preparation: Autocombustion,
spray-pyrolysis, Sol-Gel processes: Pechini & alkoxide precursors’
routes, Precipitation, coprecipitation, hydrothermal synthesis
- From oxides to other inorganic compounds

III. SOL-GEL PROCESSES AND DILUTED ENVIRONMENTS: (7 MEETINGS X 1 HOUR
20)

- From colloids to sol-gel process
- Colloids vs Nanoparticles in sol "non-silica systems"
- Colloids vs Nanoparticles in sol "silica systems"

V. FROM SYNTHESIS TO SHAPING OF INORGANIC MATERIALS: (9 MEETINGS X 1
HOUR 20)

- Shaping techniques for thin films production (PVD-CVD),
ionicimplantation, thermal sprays and thermal diffusion. Illustration
of the applicative fields (films for optics, mechanical properties and
surface coatings as protective barriers)
- Materials in industrial catalysis: Phenomenological description.
Physico-chemical properties of solid catalysts: preparation and
shaping. Focus on Zeolites and parent structures.

Course type

- Lectures including exercise sessions (oral in French, all written support in English): 32 X 1 hour 20. - Practical session (in French or English): 2 X 4 hours. - Tutoring (in English to help people who do not speak French): 9 X 1 hour 20. - Teaching supports available on the Moodle platform. - Self-study: 105 hours (50 hours private reading, 20 hours exam preparation, 20 hours exercise preparation, 15 hours preparation/report of practical session).

Online Course Requirement

Instructor

Other information

- Main lectures including exercise sessions will be taught in French
but all written supports will be available in English or French
(lectures, exercises, practical sessions manuals, final exam is
written texts) - Tutoring in English will be available to help people
who do not speak French - Practical sessions will be taught in both
English or French 



Language of instruction: French and English* (see other information)
Mode of delivery: Face-to-face teaching

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