Entry requirements

60 credits Chemistry including Chemical Principles I, 10 credits, Chemical Principles II, 5 credits and Structure and Function of Chemical Substances, 10 credits, or equivalent.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to

• discuss and analyse surface chemical problems where surface energy, surface adsorption, adhesion, cohesion and wetting are included as important components
• carry out calculations on systems where surface tension, surface activity and intermolecular interaction constitute important properties
• account for and carry out calculations concerning thermodynamic and electrostatic properties of colloids
• discuss how electrokinetic effects arise and be able to carry out calculations of corresponding properties
• give examples of how the different parts of the course are linked to activities within society and industry
• document laboratory work and in written/oral form be able to discuss the contents and results of the laboratory sessions

Content

Surface thermodynamics, surface tension and surface adsorption.. Wetting and contact angle. Electric double layers and electrokinetic processes. Interactions between colloidal particles. Polymer adsorption and steric stabilisation. Technical applications of systems containing surface active components and colloids.

Instruction

Lectures, teaching sessions, seminars, laboratory sessions and projects.

Assessment

Written examination organised during the course and/or at the end of the course (5 HE credits). Laboratory sessions with presentations (2 HE credits) and projects (3 HE credits). The final grade is based on the results of the written examination in combination with the performance during the laboratory sessions.