Course manual 2024/2025

Course content

Materials science is a very diverse field, incorporating many scientific disciplines such as physics, chemistry, informatics, and medicine. Research in materials science is equally diverse and ranges from fundamental (how does a superconductor work) to applied (how can we change the properties of nanomaterials for improved catalysis). The course Emergent Energy Materials provides you with a first introduction to this field. As the title suggest the emphasis will be on ‘Emergent’ and ‘Energy’. The concept of ‘emergent properties’ plays an important role in creating more energy-efficient and energy-conscious technologies and consumption. On top of that, the climate crisis is encouraging rapid developments in materials research: new technologies and materials are ’emerging’ every day.

During the course, we will begin by covering basic concepts of solid-state physics and materials science such as the periodic atomic structure of solids, its determination and role (crystallography), the electronic band structure of (infinite) solids, the magnetic and optical properties of solids and their relation to the size effects, various routes to produce materials, and concepts of surface science. Special attention will be given to a number of commonly used experimental techniques to synthesize materials and study their properties. We will then dive into several more advanced concepts related to two aspects of emergent energy materials, namely nanomaterials for energy applications and emergence from electronic interactions and its role in bulk materials’ design.

Nanomaterials for energy applications
Nanomaterials have unique structural, electrical, optical, and magnetic properties that make them ideally suited for specific applications in the fields of energy conversion and energy storage. These properties span from their enhanced structural resistance to embrittlement in intercalation materials used in modern lithium-ion batteries, to their exceptional catalytic activity towards the oxidation of poisonous gasses emitted during the combustion of fossil fuels.

The science of nanomaterials is extremely rich and branches out into different disciplines, from solid state physics to nanoparticle chemistry, and materials science. To give a comprehensive overview of this field would be significantly beyond the scope of the EEM course. Instead, we will touch upon some of the major fields of applications of nanomaterials for energy (heterogeneous catalysis, photocatalysis, and storage in batteries), while also working together to build up a solid physical understanding of how their properties differ from their macroscopic “bulk” counterparts.

Bulk materials: periodicity, correlations, and emergence
Together with learning about the effects of downscaling, we will also focus on bulk (volumic) materials with infinite, periodic lattice structures. We will uncover the role of lattice symmetry in materials science as it is the main ingredient and driving force of many macroscopic physical properties. We will introduce two approaches to evaluate electronic properties of solids: 1) localized molecular orbitals in complex oxides (crystal field effect) and 2) delocalized quasi-free electron behavior in the periodic lattice that is considered within band theory. Then we will exemplify how these interaction principles constitute physical properties (electronic, thermoelectric, and magnetic) of various classes of (quantum) bulk materials for energy applications. We will conclude with a brief overview of preparation techniques that can be applied to tailor the materials towards desired functionalities, to modify their periodic lattices in-situ, and of characterization methods that allow to trace these conversion processes.

Study materials

Literature

  • All course material will be available in Canvas

Syllabus

Practical training material

Software

Other

Objectives

  • The student can use basic concepts related to the electronic, magnetic, mechanical, and thermodynamic properties of solids.
  • The student can describe and compare the conventional synthetic routes used to fabricate nanostructured and bulk materials.
  • The student can explain the basic principles of crystallography and surface science and determine their influence on the physical properties of solids.
  • The student can explain basic physical and chemical concepts related to the use of nanostructured materials in energy conversion and energy storage applications.
  • The student can explain the role of nanoscale confinement in intercalation solids used as electrodes in batteries.
  • The student has a working understanding of the relationship between size and optical properties of nanoscale semiconductors (quantum dots).
  • The students understands the role and importance of nano-materials in heterogeneous catalysis.
  • The student can explain and apply the basic physical and chemical concepts related to the use of bulk materials in energy storage, thermoelectric and magnetic applications.
  • The student can understand and describe the connection between the microscopic structure and the macroscopic electronic and magnetic properties of bulk solids.
  • The student can understand and describe the concepts of crystal field splitting in various coordination environments, different magnetic exchange interactions and their influence onto the electronic and magnetic properties of bulk solids.
  • The student can define the main notions related to the thermal and quantum phase transitions, and can apply them to describe the states of matter.
  • The student can describe the main principles of intercalation of bulk solids and identifies its main implications onto the electronic and magnetic properties.

Teaching methods

  • Lecture
  • Seminar
  • Self-study

Blended learning. You will be asked to come prepared for each lecture, through reading and exercise assignments in Canvas (via the Assignments tab). During lectures we will also work on selected problems and discuss difficulties of the materials you studied.

Learning activities

Activity

Number of hours

Lectures

42

Self study

84

Attendance

Requirements concerning attendance (OER-B).

  • In addition to, or instead of, classes in the form of lectures, the elements of the master’s examination programme often include a practical component as defined in article A-1.2 of part A. The course catalogue contains information on the types of classes in each part of the programme. Attendance during practical components is mandatory.
  • Additional requirements for this course:

    Attendance is required. The in-class activities involve significant discussion and depend on everyone's engagement. If a serious circumstance prevents you from attending, email the coordinator dr. Andrea Baldi (a.baldi@vu.nl), in which case one, and only one, absence can be compensated by an alternative form of participation (determined in consultation with the coordinator). Any further absences may result in failure of the course.

    Assessment

    Item and weight Details

    Final grade

    0.65 (65%)

    Tentamen

    Must be ≥ 5.5, Mandatory

    0.35 (35%)

    Canvas Assignments

    Must be ≥ 5.5, Mandatory

    Final grade after retake

    0.65 (65%)

    Hertentamen

    Must be ≥ 5.5, Mandatory

    0.35 (35%)

    Canvas Assignments

    Must be ≥ 5.5, Mandatory

    The final grade will be an average of your final exam (65%) and of your overall score of the assignments (35%). The final exam will be on Monday, October 21.

    Assignments

    All reading and exercise assignments will be made available via Canvas.

    Fraud and plagiarism

    The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

    Course structure

    Week Topics
    1 Course intro, crystallography and surface science for nanomaterials
    2 Nanomaterials: properties, synthesis, and characterization
    3 Intro to crystallography for periodic solids, Intro to band theory of solids, Molecular orbitals & crystal field splitting
    4 Magnetism: theory, Magnetism: applications, Bulk methods of synthesis and experimental characterization
    5 Nanomaterials for catalysis, photocatalysis, and energy storage
    6 Bulk solids for thermoelectric applications, Bulk solids with quantum conductivity for energy applications, Intercalation of bulk solids and topochemical conversion
    7 Q&A session, research seminars, and lab visits
    8 Exam

    Contact information

    Coordinator

    • Andrea Baldi

    Staff

    • dr. Anna Isaeva