Learning outcomes expected at the level of the course (4 to 10 learning outcomes) |
After passing the course, students will be able to:
1. Explain the concept of minerals, crystals and amorphous state.
2. Explain the basic concepts and principles of crystallography.
3. Categorize the elements of symmetry of crystals and crystal systems.
4. Explain the interatomic bonds in crystals and the packing of atoms concept in the crystal structures.
5. Describe the basic concepts, parameters and principles in X-ray diffraction analysis, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis methods (DTA-TG/DTG) and electron microscopy (TEM, SEM).
6.Choosing the right approach in the selection of appropriate methods for structural characterization of materials starting from the knowledge acquired. |
Course content broken down in detail by weekly class schedule (syllabus) |
1st week. Introduction. The Earth’s crust, rocks, minerals, the environmental conditions and processes of minerals genesis.
2nd week: Overview of basic raw non-metallic materials.
3rd week: Crystalline and amorphous state. Basic crystallographic principles.
4th week: The crystal structure. Crystallographic axes, lattice parameters and lattice planes in the crystal.
5th week: Symmetry elements. Crystal systems and symmetry. Unit cell parameters of crystals.
6th week: Bases of crystalochemistry. Coordination number. Pauling’s rules for ionic crystals.
7th week: Theory of close-packed crystal structure. Main types of crystal structures. Silicate structures. Crystal lattice defects, isomorphism, polymorphism and solid solutions.
8th week: The physical, electrical, thermal and optical properties of crystalline substances. The written knowledge tests (I Colloquium).
9th week: The significance of the structural phases analyses in control and managing of manufacturing processes, and in holding out qualities of final industrial products. Examples from practice.
10th week: Methods for structural characterization of silicates, oxides and other inorganic engineering materials. Example for the identification of clay minerals by the combined methods of analysis (chemical analysis, X-ray analysis, thermal and infrared analysis).
11th week: The basic principles of the X-ray diffraction. X-ray spectra, continuous and characteristic spectrum. Bragg’s equation. Qualitative and quantitative X-ray diffraction analysis. Silicate structures and their characteristic X-ray diffraction patterns.
12th week: Fluorescent X-ray analysis. Infrared spectroscopy. Characteristic absorption band position of the individual functional groups of minerals. Infrared spectra of the phylosilicates.
13th week: Methods for identification of microstructure. Electron microscopy and microanalysis.
14th week: Methods of thermal analysis. Differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).
Applying the method of thermal analysis (DTA-TG/DTG) in chemistry of cement.
15th week: Electron microscopy and electron diffraction. Application of transmission (TEM) and scanning (SEM) electron microscopy and electron microanalysis on silicate materials. The written knowledge tests (II Colloquium).
EXERCISES:
1. Determination unit cell parameters and identification of the hkl indices of the powder sample.
2. Determination of crystallite size. Determination of the unit cell parameters by method oscillations of single crystals.
3. XRD characterization of crystal materials. Qualitative X-ray analysis of the mineral sample and the mixture of minerals.
4. Application of the method of thermal analysis (DTA-TG/DTG) in the chemistry of cement: (a) monitoring the progress of the hydration reaction in cement-water system (with and without pozzolana additions), and (b) the determination of kinetic parameters of thermal decomposition of portlandite formed in cement-water system.
5. Applying infrared spectroscopy: (a) in the analysis of the historic and cultural heritage monuments (”Mediterranean patinas” on the monuments of marble and limestone), and (b) in the analysis and identification of silicate. |
