ECH289J (CRN 73404) , Section 1 - Winter 2006
Thermal Analysis, Calorimetry, Powder X-ray Diffraction

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Lecture Notes / Problem Sets

Instructor:
Professor Alexandra Navrotsky
4440 Chem Annex, 752-3292, anavrotsky@ucdavis.edu
Office Hours: W 8:00 – 9:00 or by appointment at navea@ucdavis.edu

Purpose

The goal of this course is to acquaint graduate students with the principles, applications, and practice of thermal analysis, calorimetry, and powder XRD, all important tools in the study of solids. Using the unique capabilities and expertise of Prof. Navrotsky, her research group, and the Peter A. Rock Thermochemistry Laboratory, this course will be both fundamental and practical. We want you to come away with an understanding of these methods and of their implementation so you can judge for yourself when, and at what level of detail they are appropriate for your research, what they can do, and whether a contemplated study would take one afternoon or six months. Students in all fields of science and engineering are welcome.

The first half of the course will consist of lectures by Navrotsky and her group on general principles and practice. The second half will be the presentation of specific case studies by group members, followed by the presentation of student projects by those people taking the 5-credit version. For 3 credits, a student must attend lectures, participate in any discussion, and turn in six problem sets. There will be no exams. For five credits, the student must do a hands-on project and provide a written and oral report on it. Details will be worked out individually depending on students' interests.

Jan. 05 Introduction and overview (Alex Navrotsky)
Jan. 10 Crystallographic concepts (Petra Simoncic)
Jan. 12 Diffraction theory and instrumentation (Petra Simoncic, John Neil)
Jan. 17 Qualitative and quantitative phase identification (John Neil)
Jan. 19 Indexing, lattice parameter determination (John Neil, Hank Eng)
Jan. 24 Rietveld refinement (Hank Eng)
Jan. 26 Principles of thermal analysis and calorimetry (Alex Navrotsky)
Jan. 31 Thermal analysis (DTA/TGA/EGA) (Andrey Levchenko, John Neil)
Feb. 02 Differential scanning calorimetry, quantitative aspects (Andrey Levchenko)
Feb. 07 Solution and reaction calorimetry near room temperature (Andrey Levchenko)
Feb. 09 High temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry (Alex Navrotsky)
Feb. 23, 28 Case Studies (Alex Navrotsky)
Mar. 02 Ultra high T thermal andalysis and TMA (Sergey Ushakov)
Mar. 07 BET and gas adsorption calorimetry (Andrey Levchenko)
Mar. 09 Glass structure and how one determines it (Sabyasachi Sen)
Mar. 14 Report on project (Gyoung Jang)

Remainder of the quarter: special topics, case studies and student presentations

Case study of structure refinement- from powder pattern to crystallographic parameters

Computer modeling of crystal structures

Use of thermodynamic databases

Various calorimetric techniques applied to organic-inorganic composites

Particle size analysis and surface area and surface energy measurement