BSc Chemistry

This unit allows students to extend their core chemistry by studying three segments related to materials chemistry.  

The over-arching aim of these modules is to prepare students for a professional career in Chemistry by expanding core chemistry knowledge into advanced topics to provide a wider and deeper understanding of particular areas of chemistry.

Polymer Materials – This segment enables students to understand how the macromolecular structure of a polymer influences its material properties, and hence the ways in which it may be used.

Energy materials for Optoelectronic Applications – introduces students to the organic and inorganic materials design concepts, including characterisation and fabrication methods, to realise energy efficient light emitting devices.

Sustainable Materials – This segment introduces students to sustainable materials 

Pre-requisite units: Core Chemistry

On successful completion of the course students should be able to:

Extend ideas from core chemistry units from years 1, 2 and 3 to advanced materials topics

Describe and explain the concepts and application of each topic

Apply the concepts of the topic and extend these to synthesise new solutions

Rationalise and interpret data obtained from different materials

Propose, and illustrate, outcomes of unseen extensions to the topic material 

Polymer Materials (P.M. Budd)

1. Macromolecular structure (linear, branched, network). Physical states of polymers (rubber, glass, semi-crystalline). Material properties (strength, stiffness, toughness, elasticity).  

2. Natural and synthetic rubbers. Thermomechanical properties of rubber (Gough-Joule effect). Molecular basis of rubber elasticity (freely jointed chain model).

3. Glassy polymers. The glass transition (free volume theory). High free volume polymers (polymers of intrinsic microporosity).

4. Semi-crystalline polymers. Crystallization and melting. Use of differential scanning calorimetry.

5. Polymer stereochemistry (tacticity). Polymer conformation in crystalline unit cell. Polymer single crystals. Morphology of semi-crystalline polymers (spherulites). Use of optical microscopy with crossed polars and of electron microscopy.

6. Sustainable polymers. The plastics problem. Responsible research and innovation.  

Energy materials for Optoelectronic Applications (A. Romanov)

Explain the relationship between chemical structure and the electronic properties of the inorganic and organic luminescent materials

Describe and explain the difference between photo- and electroluminescence from inorganic and organic materials.

Predict and identify suitable materials for application in Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) technology.

Explain fabrication methods related to organic electronics: solution processing vs vapor deposition

Sustainable Materials

This segment enables students to understand how separation processes they are familiar with on a laboratory scale are carried out on an industrial scale, and to understand how materials chemistry can contribute to more energy-efficient separation processes.