Course Details in

Module Title	Physical Chemistry II
School	Chemistry
Department	Chemistry
Module Code	03 10856
Module Lead
Level	Honours Level
Credits	10
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites	Physical Chemistry I - (03 10855)
Restrictions	The module is available to all students on the above programmes and is offered to suitably qualified occasional students. For the latter, enrolment is determined on a case-by-case basis using academic transcripts.
Contact Hours	Lecture-29 hours Practical Classes and workshops-3 hours Total: 32 hours
Exclusions
Description	A knowledge of the bulk and surface structures of solid state materials is vital if both their physical and chemical properties are to be fully understood. This module will introduce students initially to the investigation of solid state structure, and then to the processes involved at gas-solid and liquid-solid interfaces. Part A will cover many of the experimental techniques and processes that are involved in the investigation and characterisation of solid state materials, probing both bulk and surface structure. The chemistry of the interface is key to many important processes and applications, such as catalysis, corrosion protection, electrochemistry, stabilising emulsions (e.g. in paints or in food), wetting phenomena and nanotechnology. To exploit these, it is vital to understand the fundamental interactions and processes occurring at the interface. Parts B and C focus on interfaces where one phase is a solid. They will cover the structures of solid surfaces and interactions of molecules with solid surfaces: the energies and kinetics involved and the tools used to study surface structures and reactions. This is followed by a description of different reaction mechanisms and important catalytic reactions.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Demonstrate an understanding of the (advanced) principles and concepts associated with the material delivered in each area; Apply their acquired knowledge to the solution of problems; Describe the differences between bulk and surface structure and their properties; Distinguish between the different properties of X-rays, electron and neutron beams, and describe the way in which they interact with matter; Describe how neutron beams are produced; Describe how X-rays are produced both using conventional and synchrotron sources and compare the applications of the X-rays from both; Describe how a synchrotron works; Explain the processes involved in photoelectron spectroscopies and interpret the resulting spectra; Distinguish between crystalline and amorphous and materials, and list the requirements for diffraction to occur; Assess the circumstances in which particular techniques can be applied to specific bulk and surface problems; Formulate, design and evaluate experimental strategies that can be applied to the investigation of specific problems relating to solids and their surfaces. Show how surface structures can be described in terms of the underlying structure of bulk solids, sketch common surface structures and describe surface reconstruction; Explain the origin of surface energies, estimate their size and explain how a surface can reduce its energy;Describe how molecules can organise themselves on a liquid surface; Discuss the experimental challenges of experimental surface science, describe the major tools, choose an appropriate tool for a given set of circumstances and justify the choice; Compare the defining characteristics of chemisorption and physisorption; Sketch the potential energy curves for adsorption and show how they relate to heats of adsorption; Explain how and why thin films of larger molecules are formed on solids and appreciate their importance in creating tailor-made surfaces; Characterize and construct ternary-phase diagrams for microemulsions; Appreciate the importance of heterogeneous catalysis in industrial chemistry; Use data obtained from surface sensitive techniques to be able to elucidate information about the structure and ordering of adsorbed species on surfaces; Understand the different mechanisms by which heterogeneous catalytic reactions proceed, and be able to interpret rate expressions to determine detailed mechanistic information; Use adsorption isotherm data to calculate surface areas of catalysts; Discuss the important aspects of the catalytic systems developed for a number of key industrial processes, and understand the rôle of the different components that make up the catalysts used in each case.
Assessment	10856-01 : Exam : Exam (Centrally Timetabled) - Written Unseen (100%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Formal Written Unseen Examination - 100 % An end of session examination contributes 100 % to the overall module mark. The examination is 2 hours in duration and is closed book. The exam assessment for this module is linked to the module title: Organic Chemistry I (03 10853) Reassessment: No opportunity for reassessment
Other	None
Reading List