Preface

Considering the diversity of the crystalline structures of crystallized materials and their impact on these materials' physical properties, this book describes the synthesis methods most adopted for the preparation of crystalline phases. Many types of materials have been processed, including inorganic, organic, organometallic, and hybrid materials. Microstructure is one parameter influencing physical properties of crystals while nucleation and crystallization are others. In fact, crystal growth influences the size and morphology of crystals. Therefore, several examples of materials have been controlled by scanning or transmission electron microscopy as a function of the parameters influencing the microstructure, particularly, time, temperature, reaction medium, and so on.

This book is the result of several years of scientific research in crystallography and solid-state chemistry. We thank all who have contributed to this work from near and far, especially Professors Mohamed Faouzi Zid and Ahmed Driss.

#### **Riadh Marzouki**

Chemistry Department, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia

Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences of Sfax, University of Sfax, Tunisia

Laboratory of Materials, Crystal Chemistry and Applied Thermodynamics, LR15ES01, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunisia

**1**

Section 1

Introduction

Section 1 Introduction

**3**

**Chapter 1**

*Riadh Marzouki*

**1. Introduction**

exploration of new crystalline materials.

**2. Crystalline materials and applications**

Introductory Chapter: Crystalline

The scientific research and development in crystalline materials science covers the synthesis, crystal structure study, physicochemical properties, and applications of solid crystals (inorganic, organic, hybrid, and organometallic). Indeed, the synthesis and the physicochemical characterization of solid materials with interesting physical properties can bring us back to the specific applications related to their crystalline structures. Accordingly, technological development necessitates the

Currently, energy storage, water treatment, and the synthesis of pharmaceutical products are among the areas of intense research activity in materials chemistry. Given the high energy demand which continues to increase, with a progressive depletion of fossil fuels, which lead to the emission of greenhouse gases and their environmental impact (greenhouse effect), current scientific research is focused on renewable energy research areas and also energy storage. In this context, the investigation of rechargeable batteries constitutes a system of storage of electrical energy in chemical energy. In fact, the research of new crystalline materials with open frameworks formed by diverse polyhedra (tetrahedra, pentahedra, and octahedra) bounding interlayer spaces and/or tunnels communicating through the intermediary of windows where cations are located is currently a field of intense activity in energy storage, especially Li-ion batteries and Na-ion batteries, etc. [1–9]. The preparation and characterization of new compounds are the driving forces of recent technological development, and studies are progressing through the exchange of views between relevant specialists. On the other hand, new research works on the treatment of batteries are based on degradable polymers such as alkali-cellulose in order to avoid materials based on expensive and less exploited metals (Li) [10].

As part of the crystalline materials research for biologically active molecules, groups of organic heterocycles appear, such as coumarin derivatives [11, 12], which can be found in the plant kingdom. The synthesis and structural characterization work carried out on these materials constitutes a vast field of research, in which a large number of laboratories are involved in the world. Natural or synthetic compounds are particularly sought after for their biological and pharmaceutical activities. These compounds have been used in different fields of application such as food additives and dyes, as well as in the cosmetics field. In fact, these phases are powerful antioxidants and have antibacterial, hypolipidemic, cholesterol-lowering, and anticarcinogenic properties, which give them a great importance in the pharmaceutical field. Charge transfer agents, solar energy collectors and non-linear optical

Materials and Applications

## **Chapter 1**
