Industrial Inorganic Chemistry Online Course | IIT Kharagpur NPTEL

Course Details

Master the Backbone of Modern Industry: A Deep Dive into Industrial Inorganic Chemistry

Have you ever stopped to consider the journey of the materials that make up your world? From the fertilizers that grow your food to the pigments in your car's paint and the catalysts in your phone's battery, inorganic chemistry is the silent engine of modern civilization. Welcome to a comprehensive exploration of Industrial Inorganic Chemistry, a pivotal 12-week online course offered by the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur through the NPTEL platform.

Course Overview: Bridging Theory and Industrial Application

This course is meticulously designed to transform your understanding of raw materials into finished, life-enhancing products. Over 12 weeks, you will unravel how chemical industries act as the principal agents of conversion, touching every facet of human life—from agriculture and environment to food, hygiene, and construction. The curriculum emphasizes not just production but also the critical role of recycling industries in promoting sustainability and reducing dependence on virgin resources.

Meet Your Instructor: Prof. Debashis Ray

The course is led by the distinguished Prof. Debashis Ray from the Department of Chemistry at IIT Kharagpur. A scholar of the highest caliber, Prof. Ray brings immense expertise to the table:

• Academic Excellence: M.Sc. (Gold Medalist) from Burdwan University and Ph.D. from the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (Jadavpur University).
• Expertise: Specialization in Inorganic Chemistry, Coordination Chemistry, Bioinorganic Chemistry, and Analytical Chemistry.
• Accolades: Recipient of the prestigious INSA Young Scientist Medal (1994) and the CRSI Bronze Medal (2007).
• Experience: A faculty member at IIT Kharagpur since 1990, ensuring decades of teaching and research insight.

Who Should Enroll?

This course is perfectly tailored for:

• B.Sc. and M.Sc. students specializing in Chemistry (Honours).
• Postgraduate students in Pure Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, or Industrial Chemistry.
• Professionals and researchers in chemical industries seeking to solidify their foundational knowledge.

Industry Relevance & Support

The curriculum is developed with direct input and relevance to major players in the chemical sector. This course receives recognition and support from a consortium of leading industries, including:

Detailed 12-Week Course Layout

The course is structured to provide a logical progression from fundamental concepts to advanced industrial applications.

Weeks 1-3: Foundational Elements & Their Compounds

We begin with an introduction to the chemical industry's importance, classifying chemicals into bulk, commodities, fine, and specialties. The focus then shifts to life-essential elements:

• Week 1: Water, Hydrogen, Hydrogen Peroxide, and inorganic peroxido compounds.
• Week 2: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur—their compounds and industrial significance.
• Week 3: Halogens, with a special emphasis on the applications of Iodine and its compounds.

Weeks 4-5: The World of Fertilizers

Dedicated to feeding the planet, this module covers:

• Week 4: Nitrogenous fertilizers (Ammonium Nitrate, Urea) and Phosphorous-containing fertilizers.
• Week 5: Potassium-containing fertilizers and the overarching economic importance of the fertilizer industry.

Weeks 6-9: Metals, Materials, and Catalysts

Explore the metals that build and catalyze our world:

• Week 6: Alkali Metals: Lithium, Sodium, Potassium and their critical compounds (e.g., KOH, K2CO3).
• Week 7: Alkaline Earth Metals (Beryllium, Magnesium, Calcium) and Manganese compounds.
• Week 8: Industry-critical Organo-Silicon compounds and silicone products.
• Week 9: Inorganic solids: Zeolites (key catalysts), inorganic fibers, construction materials, enamel, and ceramics.

Weeks 10-12: Carbon, Materials, and Finishing Agents

The final leg covers advanced materials and additives:

• Week 10: Carbon allotropes: Diamond, Graphite, Carbon Black, and their production (carbonization, graphitization).
• Week 11: Synthetic and natural fillers; Metallic hard materials.
• Week 12: Inorganic Pigments (TiO2, ZnO, Fe2O3), corrosion protection pigments, luminescent and magnetic pigments, leading to a comprehensive conclusion.

Recommended Textbooks

To complement the video lectures, the following authoritative texts are recommended:

• Industrial Inorganic Chemistry by K.H. Büchel, H.-H. Moretto, P. Woditsch; Wiley-VCH, 2nd Edition.
• Inorganic Chemistry: An Industrial and Environmental Perspective by T.W. Swaddle, Academic Press, 1997.

Why Enroll in This Course?

This course is more than an academic pursuit; it's a gateway to understanding the industrial processes that shape our material existence. Under the guidance of an award-winning professor from IIT Kharagpur, you will gain:

• A solid foundation in the manufacture and application of key inorganic chemicals.
• Insight into sustainable industrial practices and recycling.
• Knowledge directly applicable to careers in a wide array of chemical and manufacturing industries.
• A certificate from IIT Kharagpur upon successful completion, adding significant value to your academic and professional profile.

Embark on this 12-week journey to decode the inorganic chemistry behind everything from the food on your table to the smartphone in your hand. Enroll today and build the expertise that powers the modern world.

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