Materials chemistry
Graduate · Chemistry
Syllabus focus
Standard syllabus · STEM / applied
Pricing
Graduate-level rates are set on consultation. See the pricing page for K–12 and undergraduate rates.
Topics typically covered
Standard syllabus
Solid-state synthesis and structure
- Ceramic processing: sol-gel, solid-state reaction, hydrothermal
- Crystal growth: Bridgman, Czochralski, flux methods
- Phase diagrams for materials design
- Defect chemistry: Kröger–Vink notation
- Non-stoichiometry and oxygen vacancies
- Doping strategies for property tuning
- Thin film growth: MBE, CVD, ALD, sputtering
- Epitaxy and lattice mismatch
- Powder X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement
- Neutron diffraction for light elements
Electronic and energy materials
- Band structure engineering in semiconductors
- Heterojunctions and multilayer device architectures
- Perovskite solar cells: chemistry and stability
- Lithium-ion battery materials: cathodes, anodes, electrolytes
- Solid-state electrolytes and next-generation batteries
- Thermoelectric materials: Seebeck coefficient optimization
- Superconductors: cuprates, iron-based, MgB₂
- Topological insulators and quantum materials (overview)
- Spintronics materials: giant magnetoresistance
- Transparent conducting oxides for displays
Nanomaterials and porous solids
- Colloidal synthesis of semiconductor nanocrystals
- Carbon nanotubes and graphene functionalization
- Quantum dot surface chemistry and bioconjugation
- MOFs: synthesis, topology, and gas storage
- Zeolites and mesoporous silica (MCM-41, SBA-15)
- Covalent organic frameworks (COFs)
- Nanoparticle self-assembly and superlattices
- Core-shell and alloy nanoparticle architectures
- In situ characterization during nanomaterial growth
- Toxicology and environmental impact assessment
Characterization and properties
- Electron microscopy: SEM, TEM, STEM, EELS
- XPS, AES, and SIMS surface analysis
- Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy
- Mechanical testing: nanoindentation, tensile, fatigue
- Thermal analysis under controlled atmospheres
- Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
- Magnetometry: SQUID, VSM
- Optical spectroscopy of materials and devices
- In operando characterization during device operation
- Structure–property correlation in materials design
STEM / applied
Research and fabrication
- Cleanroom protocols and lithography (overview)
- Device fabrication: solar cells, transistors, sensors
- Materials informatics and high-throughput screening
- Machine learning for materials property prediction
- Scale-up from lab synthesis to pilot production
- Quality control and materials certification
- Failure analysis and root cause investigation
- Collaborative research with national user facilities
- Grant proposals for materials research (NSF MRSEC, DOE)
- Patent landscape in energy and electronic materials
Applied materials chemistry
- Semiconductor industry materials supply chain
- Battery manufacturing and supply chain chemistry
- Aerospace and defense materials requirements
- Biomedical implants and biocompatibility testing
- Water treatment membranes and desalination
- Catalytic materials for chemical industry
- Additive manufacturing of advanced materials
- Recycling and critical mineral recovery
- Startup ventures in advanced materials
- Career paths in national labs, industry, and academia
Notes
Graduate-level materials chemistry. Topics reflect common materials chemistry syllabi at US research universities. Overlap with materials science and engineering departments is typical.