Course syllabus for Colloids and polymers

Course syllabus adopted 2024-02-08 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameKolloider och polymerer
  • CodeKTK106
  • Credits4.5 Credits
  • OwnerTKKMT
  • Education cycleFirst-cycle
  • Main field of studyChemical 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 53114
  • Maximum participants70
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsNo
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0116 Examination 3 c
Grading: TH		3 c0 c0 c0 c0 c0 c
  • 28 Okt 2024 am J
  • 09 Jan 2025 am J
  • 19 Aug 2025 am J
0216 Project 1.5 c
Grading: UG		1.5 c0 c0 c0 c0 c0 c

In programmes

Examiner

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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, inorganic and organic chemistry.

Aim

The purpose of the course is to make the students aware of the importance of surface and colloid chemistry and of materials chemistry, with an emphasis on polymeric materials, for a wide range of industrial applications. Surfactants and surface active polymers are the main tools of surface and colloid chemistry and one aim of the course is to make the students aware of how such molecules behave in solution and at surfaces. Practically important applications of this behaviour will be illustrated in the course. Another aim of the course is to make the students aware of how polymers behave both in solution and in solid state and how plastic materials can be formulated from polymers and additives. The environmental impact of polymers is an important issue today and yet another aim of the course is to make the students aware of how this is dealt with by the authorities.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

  • describe how surfactants self-aggregate in solution and at surfaces
  • explain how a balance between attractive and repulsive interactions governs the stability of dispersed
  • explain the role of surfactants as emulsifier, dispersing agent, wetting agent, and foaming agent
  • describe emulsion polymerisation and the basics of paint
  • account for the basic thermodynamical differences between polymers and low molecular weight compounds, especially regarding solubility.
  • explain the principles behind different molecular weight determination methods.
  • describe phenomena related to polymers in the solid state such as semi crystallinity, glass transition, chain orientation, and mechanical properties.
  • account for the differences between the most common bulk- and engineering plastics, as well as their different application areas.
  • describe the most commonly used processing methods for polymer materials.
  • provide arguments for/ against the use of polymer materials in the perspective of a sustainable society.

Content

The course is based on 6 two-hour lectures in Surface and Colloid Chemistry, and 6 two-hour lectures in Polymeric Materials. In addition, there are two compulsory exercises, one literature assignment in surface and colloid chemistry and one experimental task in polymeric materials. The lectures in surface and colloid chemistry cover the following topics:
  • introduction, historical development and surface tension
  • surfactants and mixed systems
  • emulsions and suspensions
  • paint
  • microemulsions
  • foam, wetting and capillary forces
The lectures in polymeric materials cover the following topics:
  • introduction, historical development, definition of polymers, basic concepts
  • step growth and chain growth polymerization
  • solubility and polymer solutions, determination of molecular weight
  • stereo structure, crystallinity, the amorphous state
  • phases and phase transitions, viscoelastic properties
  • processing of polymers, polymeric materials

Organisation

The course starts with Surface and Colloid Chemistry followed by Polymeric Materials. Each block contains 6 two-hour lectures and one exercise. In the surface chemistry block the exercise consists of a literature search, performed in groups, followed by an oral presentation in front of the class. In the polymer block the exercise is an experimental task.

Literature

Krister Holmberg, Yt- och kolloidkemi (in Swedish), Chalmers 2007.
Thomas Hjertberg, Helena Andersson, Inledande polymervetenskap (in Swedish), Chalmers 2011.

Examination including compulsory elements

The examination is based on a written exam, grades TH, where the above listed learning outcomes are evaluated. The practical applications within surface- and colloid chemistry are also examined through approval of the project task, while the knowledge about properties of solid state polymers also examines through a compulsory participation on the 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.