CHEM40820

Learning Outcomes:

Following completion of this module the student should have an in-depth knowledge of;

(i) the chemistry behind the use of heterogeneous catalysis and their application. This will involve an appreciation for the bonding between reagents and solid phase catalysts and how this influences selectivity, characterisations of catalytic materials using a range of techniques and an understanding of basic catalytic kinetics.

(ii) The electrochemical principles behind the design and operation of Li-ion batteries. This involves consideration of the chemistry and components of a Li-ion battery and how this affects the resulting voltage and discharge curve characteristics. We will also explore a range of characterisation methods, including emerging operando diffraction and spectroscopic techniques, which provide insights into structure-property relationships in battery materials. Finally, we will consider promising battery chemistries beyond Li-ion including Na-ion and solid state batteries.

(iii) The students should have an advanced knowledge of the energy states in free and complexed transition metal ions and be able to estimate the orbital splitting energy in an octahedral complex from its UV-vis spectrum and explain the variation in calculated and observed magnetic moment in transition metal complexes in different geometries.

Indicative Module Content:

Heterogeneous catalysis, reactivity, characterisation and kinetics

Li-ion batteries, theoretical capacity, open circuit voltage, Coulombic efficiency, defining the voltage window, characterisation techniques

Energy states in free and complexed transition metal ions. Bonding, magnetism and optical properties of transition metal complexes

Student Effort Hours:

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:

active/task-based learning - literature review
lectures
critical writing - writing report on literature search
reflective learning - appraisal of literature on selected topic
enquiry & problem-based learning - in-class quiz
student presentation on literature report

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.

Module Requisites and Incompatibles

Incompatibles:
CHEM40110 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry


 

Assessment Strategy

 

Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Results of in-class tests and assessment of literature search will be communicated to students once these components have been assessed.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.