Interfaces, Colloids and Self-Assembly

Code:

Q4097

Acronym:

Q4097

Level:

400

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Chemistry

Instance: 2020/2021 - 2S

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

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M:CTN	8	Official Study Plan since 2020_M:CTN	1	-	6	42	162

Teaching language

English

Objectives

This course aims at familiarizing the students with the physico-chemical foundations of interfaces, colloidal systems and self-assembly phenomena, and their application in materials and processes used in everyday life and industry.

Learning outcomes and competences

By the end of the course the student should be able to:
- characterize the main physico-chemical features of the different types of interfaces;
- understand the different types of colloidal systems, their properties and structure-function relationships;
- understand the principles of the most important characterization methods for colloids and interfaces;
- develop experimental, presentation and communication skills on advanced topics of physical chemistry.

Working method

Presencial

Program

I - Theoretical classes

1. Introduction to colloids, soft matter and interfaces 
1.1 Definition of colloidal system and interface; interdependence; colloidal scale. Type of interfaces. Types of colloidal systems: colloidal dispersions, macromolecular solutions and associative colloids -differentiating properties.
1.2. Shape, size and polydispersity of colloidal particles.
1.3 Transport, electrical and optical properties of colloidal systems.
1.4 Amphiphilic molecules and self-organized systems; biological interfaces; technical and biological importance.

2. 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).

3. Self-assembled systems and colloidal nanostructures
3.1 Molecular and thermodynamic models for aggregation. Driving forces for self-assembly. Surfactant packing parameter and spontaneous curvature models.
3.2 Micelles: critical micelle concentration and Krafft point; thermodynamics of micellization; factors that influence the cmc; micellar shape, growth and solubilization.
3.3 Bilayers: composition, structure and dynamics; phase transitions. Vesicles or liposomes.
3.4 Liquid crystals, microemulsions, emulsions and foams.
3.5 Phase behavior of surfactants and lipids: binary and ternary phase diagrams; characterization methods. Modification and control of self-assembly.

4. Polymers in solution
4.1 Average molecular weight of a polymer. Regimes of concentrations of polymer solutions.  Conformation of the polymer chain; defining factors.
4.2 Flory-Huggins theory: basic thermodynamic aspects. Polymer solubility and critical phenomena.
4.3 Behavior of macromolecules in solution and at surfaces; polyelectrolytes and block copolymers.
4.4 Mixed polymer-surfactant systems; models; critical aggregation concentration. Rheological aspects and applications

5. Colloidal interactions and stability
5.1 Electrostatic interactions: electrical double layer model; zeta potential and its consequences; van der Waals interactions.
5.2 DLVO theory of colloidal stability; coagulation and flocculation. Non-DLVO interactions.

6. Characterization methods of colloidal systems and interfaces.
7. Applications of colloids, soft materials and interfaces in chemistry, nanotechnology, nanomedicine and industry.

II. Practical classes

Lab works and oral presentations.
Lab works: surfactant micellization studies by conductimetry and surface tension; adsorption isotherms in charcoal; coagulation of gold sols; phase behavior of surfactants; preparation and characterizations of vesicles and liquid crystals.
Oral presentations: group work on a current topic in colloids and interfaces related to practical applications.

Mandatory literature

Hiemenz Paul C.; Principles of colloid and surface chemistry. ISBN: 0-8247-7476-0
Shaw Duncan J.; Introduction to colloid and surface chemistry. ISBN: 0-408-71049-7
Butt Hans-Jurgen; Physics and chemistry of interfaces. ISBN: 978-3-527-41216-7
Evans D. Fennell; The colloidal domain. ISBN: 1-56081-525-6

Teaching methods and learning activities

The theoretical classes involve explanation of contents and interactive discussions with students.

Practical classes comprise laboratory experiments with submission of lab reports. 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 presentations is to stimulate teamwork, autonomous work and communication skills.

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

The final grade, FG, is calculated according to this formula:

FG = 0.40 x G(tests) + 0.30 x G(labs) + 0.30 x G(oral presentation)

G(tests) = 0.50 x G(Test 1) + 0.50 x G(Test 2)

To pass, the student must have: G(T1) ≥ 8, G(T1) ≥ 8, G(Tests) ≥ 10 and NF ≥ 10.

Classification improvement

The students may improve their final grade (FG) by repeating the component N(tests) in exam.