CHEE 460 Applied Surface and Colloid Science Units: 3.50
The course covers four major topics. 1. The thermodynamic properties of interfaces (surface energy, wetting, surface area and porosity, capillary effects, work of adhesion/cohesion). 2. Models of adsorption/desorption phenomena. 3. The amphiphilic behaviour of surfactants. 4. The stability and characterization of colloidal systems. Student appreciation for the importance of these phenomena is cultivated using examples drawn from industrial processes/products including inks, paints, foods, polymer blends, and nanocomposites.
(Lec: 3, Lab: 0, Tut: 0.5)
(Lec: 3, Lab: 0, Tut: 0.5)
Requirements: Prerequisites: CHEE 210 or permission of the department.
Corequisites:
Exclusions: CHEM 347
Offering Term: F
CEAB Units:
Mathematics 0
Natural Sciences 12
Complementary Studies 0
Engineering Science 30
Engineering Design 0
Offering Faculty: Smith Engineering
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Explain the origin of “long‐range’, non‐covalent colloidal forces (van der Waals, electrostatic, etc.) and preparation of quantitative DLVO and XDLVO plots for a number of colloidal systems using the proper mathematical models.
- Explain the link between liquid surface tension and contact angle, and demonstrate how certain experimental techniques can be used for the assessment of liquid surface tension (or, equivalently, surface energy of solids).
- Apply knowledge on thermodynamics of micellization in surfactant solutions describe the influence of physical variables such as temperature, molecular structure of surfactant, and solvent characteristics on parameters such as critical micellization concentration (CMC), association number, micelle structure, etc.
- Describe the thermodynamics of emulsion formation and calculate the kinetic and thermodynamic stability of such emulsions.
- Calculate adsorbate concentration and area per molecule on a solid surface using various adsorption models.
- Design colloidal systems or engineered surfaces of high industrial or technological interest (liquid detergents, nanocomposites, eco‐paints, superhydrophobic materials, etc.)
- Explain the interactions between colloids and visible light, as well as the principles of static and dynamic light scattering.