Course syllabus adopted 2021-02-26 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).
Overview
- Swedish nameKolloid- och ytkemi
- CodeKFK176
- Credits6 Credits
- OwnerTKBIO
- Education cycleFirst-cycle
- Main field of studyBioengineering, Chemical Engineering
- DepartmentCHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
- GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail
Course round 1
- Teaching language Swedish
- Application code 48124
- Maximum participants70
- Open for exchange studentsNo
- Only students with the course round in the programme overview.
Credit distribution
Module | Sp1 | Sp2 | Sp3 | Sp4 | Summer | Not Sp | Examination dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0106 Examination 4.5 c Grading: TH | 4.5 c |
| |||||
| 0206 Laboratory 1.5 c Grading: UG | 1.5 c |
In programmes
Examiner
- Nikola Markovic
Eligibility
General entry requirements for bachelor's level (first cycle)Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.
Specific entry requirements
The same as for the programme that owns the course.Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.
Course specific prerequisites
Thermodynamics and physical chemistryAim
To provide a basic understanding of colloid- and surface chemistry relevant for students of biotechnology. The systems are discussed and analyzed from the perspective of physical chemistry, i.e., concepts like intermolecular interaction, entropy and chemical potential are of central importance. The course will also provide increased skills in experimental methodology and technical/scientific reporting.Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)
- provide examples of different types of colloidal systems, describe their properties and explain how they can be studied and characterized
- define surface energy and surface tension and give examples on how surface tension can be measured, describe the importance of surface tension on the properties of drops and bubbles
- define the energy of adhesion and cohesion, the spreading coefficient and the contact angle and use these quantities to determine wetting and spreading properties of liquids on surfaces
- define the surface excess concentration, derive and use Gibbs adsorption isotherm in order to analyze the adsorption of molecules at interfaces, analyze results from surface balance measurements qualitatively and quantitatively in simple cases
- provide examples of different types of surfactants and methods to experimentally measure and theoretically define the critical micelle concentration (CMC), describe how CMC depends on the chemical structure of the surfactants, additives as well as pressure and temperature
- describe different lyotrope liquid crystalline systems and provide examples on how they can be studied and characterized
- explain by which mechanisms a solid surface can be charged and how the electric double layer can be described using the Gouy-Chapman model
- analyze results from microelectrophoresis experiment
- be able to quantitatively describe interaction and coagulation in colloidal systems using the DLVO theory and explain how colloids may be stabilized
- give examples of different types of emulsions, how they are produced, characterized and utilized
- provide examples of different types of foams, describe their properties in terms of drainage rate, surface elasticity and surface viscosity
- describe properties of polymers using the model freely jointed chain
- perform basic laboratory measurements and to analyze, discuss and report the results from these
Content
A number of examples of colloids are provided. Classification, terminology and principles for laboratory production is discussed as well as the connection between colloid and surface chemistry. Examples of different characterization methods are provided. The motion of particles in fluids is discussed (Brownian motion, diffusion, sedimentation). The effect of surface tension on the physical properties of drops and bubbles are discussed (Laplace equation, Kelvin equation) and on wetting of surfaces (Young equation).Gibbs adsorption isotherm is derived and discussed in connection with micelle formation. The properties of monolayers are discussed in connection with the surface balance. The properties of surfactants are discussed in detail focusing on the thermodynamics of micelle formation (CMC, Krafft temperature, hydrophobic interaction,solubilization) and liquid crystalline phases (structure, packing parameters, liposomes). Surface electric properties are discussed starting from the Gouy-Chapman model of the electric double layer. The results are first used to analyze electrokinetic phenomena (the Hückel, Henry and Smoluchowski equations for electrophoretic mobility), and later to describe interaction between colloidal particles usingthe DLVO theory. The DLVO theory is then used to understand colloidal stability (aggregation, Schulze-Hardys rule). The properties of foams (drainage rate, surface elasticity and surface viscosity) and emulsions (HLB-numbers) and microemulsions are also covered. A short discussion of the freely jointed chain model for polymers (measures of size, perfect elastomer) is also included in the course.Organisation
Lectures, tutorials, and three laboratory assignments:- Measurement of surface tension using the ring and drop-weight methods
- Determination of critical micelle concentration
- Microelectrphoresis and zeta-potential
Literature
Literature will be announced on the course web page before start of the course.Examination including compulsory elements
Written exam with computational and theoretical assignments and approved laboratory work.The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.