MATSE 512
Principles of Crystal Chemistry

MATSE 512: Principles of Crystal Chemistry

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Quick facts about MATSE 512: Principles of Crystal Chemistry

Course Instructor: Maria Molina Higgins
Course Author: Susan Trolier-McKinstry


Course Overview:

Crystal chemistry is concerned with the systematics of crystal structures as determined by ionic sizes and characteristics of chemical bonds, and with changes in crystal structure with variations in temperature and pressure. The course begins with a short review of crystallography. It then proceeds to elements and ions as the building blocks of crystals. Models for the chemical bonds which bind elements and ions into crystals include classical electrostatic theory, crystal field theory, molecular orbital theory, and band theory. The principles underlying each model are explained. The next step in the buildup of crystals is to explain the principles of ionic packing, crystal defects, and the concepts of polymorphism and phase transitions. The discussion proceeds from binary packing structures to packing structures of ternary and quaternary composition, to metal structures, to silicate structures, to organic crystals, to defect structures and non-crystalline solids. The course concludes with structure-property relationships for thermal, optical, electrical, dielectric, and mechanical properties.

Course Structure:

Online, 10-12 hours a week for 12 weeks

Learning Environment:

This website provides the primary instructional materials for the course. The Resources menu at left links to important supporting materials, while the Course Outline menu links to the course lessons. Canvas, Penn State's course management system, is used to support the delivery of this course, as well as to provide the primary communications, calendaring, and submission tools for the course.

Topics we will cover in MatSE 512:

  • Introduction & Symmetry
  • Space Groups, Stereographic Projections, Distances & Angles
  • Quantum Mechanics & The Periodic Table
  • Classification of Ions & Introduction to Bonding
  • Ionic & Covalent Bonding
  • Molecular Orbital Theory, Metallic, Hydrogen, & Van der Waals Bonding
  • Crystal Field Theory
  • Band Theory, Direct & Indirect Band Gaps, & Metal Oxide Conductors
  • Hume-Rothery Classification, Element Structures, & Coordination
  • Systematics of Ionic Bonding, Pauling's Rules, & Bond Valence
  • AX Structures & Solid Solutions
  • Systematics of Metals & Alloys
  • Systematics of Small Molecules
  • Systematics of Polymer Structures
  • Defects in Solids
  • Phase Transformations & Silicates
  • Neumann's Law & Introduction to Thermal Properties
  • Thermal Expansion
  • Thermal Conductivity
  • Diffusion & Ionic Conductivity
  • Optical Properties
  • Dielectrics & Ferroelectrics
  • Magnetic Properties
  • Mechanical Properties