Physical Chemistry of Materials

2025/2026

Recommended prerequisite for participation in the module

The module adds to knowledge obtained in Physical Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry

Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

  • Materials thermodynamics
  • Chemical reaction kinetics and dynamics in materials
  • Phase equilibrium in materials
  • Order and disorder in solid
  • Experimental methods for collecting thermodynamic and kinetic data of materials, e.g., viscometric and calorimetric methods
  • General electrochemistry
  • Analytical electrochemistry
  • Application of electrochemistry in materials science
  • Description of electron-ion conductor junction as electrochemical electrode
  • Electrolytes and their properties, redox reactions, conductivity and determination
  • Links between electrochemical potentials, thermodynamic parameters and concentrations
  • Electrochemical methods: Impedance spectroscopy, voltammetry, and other analytical methods and its instrumentation
  • Type of electrodes, electrode kinetics and electrode related effects
  • Description of the different type of batteries, accumulators and fuel cells

Learning objectives

Knowledge

Students who have passed the module should be able to

  • understand and apply the link between electrochemistry and thermodynamics
  • explain and utilize phase diagram of materials
  • clarify mechanisms behind the phase transitions

Skills

  • solve physical chemical problems in the fields of materials science and chemical processes
  • collect and evaluate physical-chemical data by doing experiments such as the viscometric and calorimetric measurements
  • apply different types of electron-ion conductor junction to understand their electrodynamic, thermodynamic and kinetic backgrounds
  • apply different analytical methods based on electrochemical reactions
  • apply the knowledge about chemistry, technology and economy of electrochemical processes in materials industry
  • design the processes in batteries, accumulators and fuel cells

Competences

  • design experimental routes for synthesis and treatment of new materials based on physical chemistry and electrochemical principles

Type of instruction

  • Lectures 
  • Workshops
  • Excercises (individually and in groups) 

Extent and expected workload

150 hours

Exam

Exams

Name of examPhysical Chemistry of Materials
Type of exam
Written or oral exam
ECTS5
Permitted aids
With certain aids:
Please refer to the exam plan.
Assessment7-point grading scale
Type of gradingInternal examination
Criteria of assessmentThe criteria of assessment are stated in the Examination Policies and Procedures

Facts about the module

Danish titleMaterialers fysiske kemi
Module codeK-KEM-K1-21
Module typeCourse
Duration1 semester
SemesterAutumn
ECTS5
Language of instructionEnglish
Empty-place SchemeYes
Location of the lectureCampus Aalborg
Responsible for the module

Organisation

Study BoardStudy Board of Chemistry and Bioscience
DepartmentDepartment of Chemistry and Bioscience
FacultyThe Faculty of Engineering and Science