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Advanced Surface and Colloidal Chemistry, 15 credits

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This course syllabus was confirmed by The Research Programmes Board at the Faculty of Science 13 June 2022. The course is in the third cycle and amounts to 15 credits.
The course syllabus is formally approved in Swedish. This is a translation.

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to enable the participants to acquire in-depth physicochemical knowledge in the field of surface and colloid chemistry from a molecular perspective and a quantitative understanding of selected fundamental colloidal and interfacial phenomena.

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of the course, the participants shall be able to:

explain the self-association of amphiphilic molecules and the underlying thermodynamics
explain the concept of surface energy and relate it to interfacial phenomena
explain electrostatic interactions in molecular and colloidal systems
describe the structure and properties of micelles of amphiphilic molecules
describe the various forces acting between colloidal aggregates and how they control colloidal stability
describe the properties of amphiphilic bilayer systems
explain the effects of polymers in colloidal systems
describe the structure and properties of micro- and macroemulsions
explain phase equilibria and describe phase diagrams
describe some applications, primarily biological and technological, where the above-mentioned systems and phenomena are central

Competens and skills

On completion of the course, the participants shall be able to:

compile and analyse experimental data and summarise them in a written report
present and discuss research articles in the subject area
apply conceptual understanding within surface and colloid chemistry to understand and explain everyday phenomena

Judgement and approach

On completion of the course, the participants shall be able to:

propose qualitative molecular interpretations of properties and phenomena of complex systems in applications
identify and independently acquire the knowledge required to implement a project in surface and colloid chemistry

Course content

The theoretical component contains lectures and tutorials that treat surface and colloid chemistry from a molecular physicochemical perspective. Key themes comprise the self-association of amphiphilic molecules, polymers in colloidal systems, phase equilibria in solutions, interfacial phenomena, and electrostatic interactions between molecules and surfaces with applications in colloidal stability.

The practical component consists of laboratory classes, computer exercises and a literature exercise. The laboratory classes introduce central experimental techniques in surface and colloid chemistry and are designed to, together with the computer exercises, illustrate central phenomena treated in the theoretical component. The literature exercise includes literature searches in a database, oral presentation of a research article and participation in discussions at the oral presentations.

Forms of instruction

The teaching consists of teacher-led classes, which assume that each participant has studied the material in the textbook in advance, computer exercises, and laboratory classes. Participation in the literature exercise, computer exercises and laboratory classes are compulsory.

Forms of examination

The course goals are examined through an oral exam at the end of the course as well as through passing the compulsory components throughout the course.

Grades

The grading scale of the course consists of the grades Fail and Pass. For a grade of Pass on the whole course, the student must have passed the exam and the compulsory components and participated actively in the literature exercises.

Language of instruction

The course is given in English.

Necessary prior knowledge

To be able to follow the course, basic knowledge in thermodynamics and physical chemistry as well as knowledge corresponding to 15 credits of university mathematics is necessary.

Additional information

The course is also offered as part of the Second Cycle with the course code KEMM77/KEMM87, and cannot be credited together with these courses.

Course responsible teacher and unit/division

Joakim Stenhammar
Email: joakim.stenhammar@fkem1.lu.se

Physical Chemistry, KILU

Do you have questions? Please contact viveka.alfredsson@chem.lu.se