Course content

The course consists of lectures and guided exercises. In the lectures, a survey of various colloidal systems (suspensions, emulsions, self-assembly systems) is given. An introduction into interfacial phenomena (surface tension, wetting, adsorption and the electrical double layer) and intermolecular (van der Waals) forces of significance for colloidal stability is given. Fundamental principles for experimental methods for measuring the phenomena are presented.
Examples of the practical significance of colloidal systems in everyday life and industrial processes are provided, and a simple computer program is created.
The guided exercises consists of computational and theoretical exercises related to principles and theories presented in the lectures.

Learning outcome

At the end of the course the studens should be able to:
- Describe colloidal systems and interfacial phenomena.
- Describe fundamental principles and theories for stabilisation/destabilisation of colloidal systems.
- Analysis and quantitative determination of the interfacial phenomena and behaviour of colloidal systems, using fundamental principles and theories, as well as basic knowledge within chemistry, physics and mathematics.
- Identify problems in industrial processes with origin in surface and colloid chemistry.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and guided exercises, of which 5 of 9 are compulsory. If there is a re-sit examination, the examination may change from written to oral.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

Basic knowledge of chemistry and physics.

Course materials

Principles of Colloid and Surface Chemistry, Third Edition, P.C.Hiemenz and R.Rajagopalan. Handouts.

Credit reductions