Interfaces and Colloids

Code:

Q4020

Acronym:

Q4020

Level:

400

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Chemistry

Instance: 2016/2017 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Chemistry

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M:BQ	1	Plano de Estudos do MBIOQ_2013-2014	1	-	6	56	162
M:Q	6	Official study plan until 2022/2023	1	-	6	56	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

This course aims at familiarizing students with basic concepts and foundations in the area of colloidal systems and interfaces, and their direct application in the description and understanding of materials, processes and techniques used in everyday life, in industry, in pharmaceutical and biomedical applications, in nanoscience and nanotechnology, and modern technology in general. 

Learning outcomes and competences

At the end of the course, the students should  be able to identify different types of colloidal systems and their generic properties and to know the main physicochemical aspects that characterize interfaces. They should also be able to rationalize structure-function relationships and to understand the basics of some experimental techniques of characterization of colloidal materials. The course also intends that the students develop independent research skills and are able to communicate and share scientific information and knowledge.

Working method

Presencial

Program

Theoretical classes

I. INTRODUCTION TO THE COLLOIDAL STATE, INTERFACES AND NANO-ORGANIZED SYSTEMS.

Definition of colloidal system and interface; interdependence. Colloidal dispersions, association colloids and macromolecular colloids. Basic properties. Biological and technical importance. Surfactants, lipids and self-assembled systems - introduction.

II. INTERFACIAL PROPERTIES, ADSORPTION PHENOMENA AND BIO-INTERFACES

Gas-liquid and liquid-liquid interfaces: surface and interfacial tension; curved surfaces; Gibbs adsorption isotherm, adhesion and cohesion; molecular films. Solid-liquid and solid-gas interface: wetting and spreading; adsorption isotherms. Biological interfaces.

III. SELF-ASSEMBLED SYSTEMS

Amphiphilic molecules and structure-function relationship. Physical foundations and thermodynamic aspects of self-association. Interpretative models. Overview of association colloids. Micelles: structure and properties. Bilayers, liposomes and biological membranes - structure and properties. Liquid crystals and related structures. Microemulsions and emulsions. Phase diagrams of surfactants and lipids. Effect of different physico-chemical parameters on self-assembly.

IV. MACROMOLECULES IN SOLUTION.

Properties of polymer solutions. Basic rheological aspects. Polymer-polymer  and surfactant-polymer interactions in solution. Phase behavior. Polymer gels.

V. COLLOIDAL INTERACTIONS AND COLLOIDAL STABILITY

Intermolecular forces in the origin of colloidal forces. Electrostatic interactions: electrical double layer models, zeta potential and consequences. Van der Waals interactions. The DLVO theory of colloidal stability; coagulation and flocculation. Non-DLVO forces.

VI. MODERN METHODS OF STRUCTURAL AND DYNAMIC CHARACTERIZATION.

Overview and comparison of methods for characterization of colloidal systems. Microscopy radiation scattering methods. Calorimetric methods. Spectroscopic methods.

VII. CURRENT TECHNICAL, INDUSTRIAL AND BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS OF COLLOIDS AND INTERFACES.

Applications of colloids and interfaces in chemistry: detergency, emulsification, dispersion, and foams; recovery of crude oil, storage of information, new materials. Food Colloids. Biomedical applications: liposomes and controlled drug delivery; model systems for membranes, non-viral gene therapy; biomaterials.

 

Practical classes

Practical laboratory works and oral presentations. Practical works: micellization studies of surfactants by conductimetry and measurement of surface tension, adsorption of solutes on activated carbon, coagulation of a gold hydrosol; aggregation studies of lipids and surfactants; characterization of Newtonian fluids and non-Newtonian by viscosimetry.

Mandatory literature

Jõnsson Bo 070; Surfactants and polymers in aqueous solution. ISBN: 0-471-97422-6
Everett D. H.; Basic principles of colloid science. ISBN: 0-85186-443-0
Hiemenz Paul C.; Principles of colloid and surface chemistry. ISBN: 0-8247-7476-0
Eisenman, George 340; Lipid bilayers and biological membranes. ISBN: 0-8247-6178-2
Shaw Duncan J.; Introduction to colloid and surface chemistry. ISBN: 0-408-71049-7
Hunter Robert J.; Foundations of colloid science. ISBN: 0-19-855188-6
Birdi K. S. 1934-; Lipid and biopolymer monolayers at liquid interfaces. ISBN: 0-306-42870-9

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical classes involve explanation of contents and interactive discussion with students, with use of digital educational media whenever necessary (short films, internet sites, etc). Practical classes comprise laboratory experiments with handing in of lab reports one week after the lab work. The students will also develop a modern a topic on colloids and interfaces throughout the semester, during the practical classes, and will make oral presentations of this topic for the class. The aim of these presentrations is to stimulate team work, autonomous work and communication skills.

Type of evaluation: Distributed assessment with final exam (or tests). Formula Evaluation: The final grade, FG, is calculated according to this formula: FG = 0.40 x (exam/tests grade) + 0.30 x (lab reports grade) + 0.30 x (oral presentation grade).

keywords

Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biological engineering
Physical sciences > Chemistry > Physical chemistry > Surface chemistry
Physical sciences > Physics > Condensed matter properties > Soft matter and polymer physics
Physical sciences > Chemistry > Applied chemistry > Food chemistry
Physical sciences > Chemistry > Biochemistry
Physical sciences > Physics > Biophysics > Molecular biophysics
Physical sciences > Chemistry > Applied chemistry > Pharmaceutical chemistry

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Prova oral	30,00
Teste	40,00
Trabalho laboratorial	30,00
Total:	100,00

Calculation formula of final grade

Type of evaluation: Distributed assessment with final exam (or tests). Formula Evaluation: The final grade, FG, is calculated according to this formula: FG = 0.40 x (exam/tests grade) + 0.30 x (lab reports grade) + 0.30 x (oral presentation grade).