Interfaces and Colloids

Code:

Q4020

Acronym:

Q4020

Level:

400

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Chemistry

Instance: 2018/2019 - 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	13	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

I - Theoretical classes

1. Colloidal systems, interfaces and soft nanomaterials: fundamental properties
1.1 Definition of colloidal system and interface; interdependence; colloidal scale.
1.2 Types of colloidal systems and soft materials - main characteristics; colloidal dispersions, macromolecular solutions and associative colloids; differentiating properties.
1.3 Shape, size and polydispersity of colloidal particles.
1.4 Transport, electrical and optical properties of colloidal systems.
1.5 Surfactants, lipids, self-organizing systems, biological interfaces - introduction; technical and biological importance.

2. Interfacial properties, adsorption and biological interfaces
2.1 Liquid-gas and liquid-liquid interfaces: surface and interfacial tension; molecular, mechanical and thermodynamic vision; surface tension measurement methods; Young-Laplace equation; curved surfaces and capillarity.
2.2 Liquid-gas interfaces: surface excess properties; Gibbs adsorption model; Gibbs adsorption isotherm.
2.3 Molecular films: Gibbs and Langmuir monolayers; phase transitions in insoluble monolayers; Langmuir-Blodgett films; applications.
2.4 Solid-liquid and liquid-liquid interfaces: wetting and spreading phenomena; Young's equation; contact angle and its measurement; critical surface energy of solids; applications.
2.5 Solid-liquid and solid-gas interfaces: adsorption phenomena; main adsorption isotherms (Langmuir, Freundlich and BET).
2.6 Biological interfaces - basic properties.

3. Self-organized systems and nanostructures
3.1 Physical and thermodynamic fundamentals of aggregation; interpretative models: surfactant critical packing parameter and spontaneous curvature.
3.2 Effect of different physico-chemical parameters on self-aggregation.
3.3 Micelles: structure and properties; critical micelle concentration and Krafft temperature; thermodynamics of micellization; factors that influence the cmc; micellar shape, growth and solubilization.
3.4 Bilayerss, liposomes and biological membranes - composition, structure,and dynamics: phase transitions; applications.
3.5 Liquid crystals and related structures. Microemulsions and emulsions. Foams.
3.6 Phase diagrams of systems based on surfactants and lipids -  rationalization and importance.

4. Polymers in solution
4.1 Introduction to polymers; average molecular weight of a polymer; concentration regimes of polymer solutions.
4.2 Conformation of the polymer chain; defining factors.
4.3 Polymer solubility and Flory-Huggins theory: basic thermodynamic aspects; critical phenomena and phase separation.
4.4 Behavior of polymers in solution and at surfaces; polyelectrolytes and block copolymers.
4.5 Surfactant/polymer mixed systems; models; critical aggregation concentration; rheological aspects; applications.

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

6. Methods of structural and dynamic characterization of colloidal systems
6.1 Overview and comparison of methods for characterization of colloidal systems.
6.2 Microscopy radiation scattering methods. Calorimetric methods. Spectroscopic methods.

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

II - Practical classes

1. 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.
2. Oral presentations: topics related to chap. 6 and 7 of the program.

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).
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

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	10,00
Estudo autónomo	76,00
Frequência das aulas	56,00
Trabalho laboratorial	20,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

The students must attend a minimum of 3/4 of the number of the practical classes foreseen in the calendar.

Calculation formula of final grade

Type of evaluation: Distributed assessment with final exam (or tests).

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).

To pass, the student must have: exam/tests grade ≥ 8 and FG ≥ 10.