Course syllabus for Colloid and surface chemistry

Course syllabus adopted 2022-02-06 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 48118
  • Maximum participants70
  • Open for exchange studentsNo
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0106 Examination 4.5 c
Grading: TH		 4.5 c
  • 14 Mar 2023 pm J
  • 07 Jun 2023 am J
  • 25 Aug 2023 am J
0206 Laboratory 1.5 c
Grading: UG		 1.5 c

In programmes

Examiner

  • Nikola Markovic
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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

Physical chemistry

Aim

To provide a basic understanding of colloid- and surface chemistry. 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)

  • characterize different types of colloidal systems and be able to relate properties to molecular structure and the properties of the dispersion medium
  • use basic surface chemical concepts to solve relevant problems regarding surface tension, wetting, spreading and capillarity
  • analyze results from surface tension measurements to draw quantitative conclusions about the adsorption of molecules at interfaces
  • use basic models for the interaction, thermodynamics and kinetics of colloidal particles to solve relevant problems regarding the stability of colloidal systems
  • describe the properties and stabilization mechanisms of emulsions and foams
  • perform basic laboratory measurements and be able to analyze, discuss and report the results from these

Content

The course begins with an overview where different examples of colloids are presented. Classification, terminology and production principles are also addressed. The connection between colloid chemistry and surface chemistry is emphasized. Different methods of characterization are discussed. The movement of colloidal particles in media is analyzed (Brownian motion, diffusion, sedimentation). The significance of surface tension for the physical properties of droplets and bubbles is studied (Laplace equation, Kelvin's equation) and its significance for surface wetting (Young's equation). Gibbs adsorption isotherm is derived and discussed, especially in connection with micelle formation. The physical properties of monolayers are treated in connection with discussion of the surface balance. The physical chemistry of surfactants is discussed with a focus on micellar thermodynamics and structure (CMC, Krafft point, hydrophobic interaction, solubilization, critical packing parameter). Surface electric properties are treated based on the Gouy-Chapman model of the electric double layer. The results are used to describe electrokinetic phenomena (the Hückel, Henry, and Smoluchowski equations for electrophoretic mobility) and the interaction between colloidal particles with the DLVO theory, which in turn is used to understand colloidal stability (Schulze-Hardy rule, coagulation kinetics). The properties of foams (drainage, surface elasticity, surface viscosity) and emulsions (HLB number) as well as microemulsions are also treated. A brief discussion of the freely jointed chain polymer model (entropic spring, measures of size) is also included in the course.

Organisation

Lectures, tutorials, and three compulsory laboratory assignments:
  1. Measurement of surface tension using the ring and drop-weight methods
  2. Determination of critical micelle concentration
  3. 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 (4.5 c) and approved laboratory work (1.5 c).

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.