Physical Chemistry of Disperse Systems and of Interfaces
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The course presents the fundamental principles underlying physicochemical phenomena occurring at surfaces and interfaces. The behavior of different kinds of interfaces is explained via examples taken from the natural world, industrial applications and research laboratory. Moreover, students familiarize with the main experimental techniques used to characterize interfaces and colloids, both from a theoretical perspective and via practical examples and exercises.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student should be able to:
- Define the concepts of interface and colloid, choosing appropriate examples, and to outline the thermodynamic description of interfaces.
- Explain the concept of adsorption and formulate the Gibbs adsorption equation. The student should also be able to differentiate between physisorption and chemisorption and to describe adsorption enthalpy determinations. He/she should also be able to illustrate the adsorption isotherm models, giving examples.
- Define surface tension and list the techniques for its experimental determination. The student should also be able to apply the Laplace and Kelvin equations at phenomena such as capillarity.
- Describe the characteristics of solid surfaces, illustrate the concepts of wetting and adhesion, outlining their measurement techniques and giving examples of applications. The student should also be able to explain the concept of surface free energy of solids, listing its models and methods for its experimental determination.
- Formulate the BET theory and apply it to the determination of the surface area of solids. The student should also be able to list the experimental methods for the determination of porosity.
- Illustrate interfacial electrification phenomena, outline electrical double layer models and distinguish the behavior of metallic and reversible interfaces. The student should also be able to describe the concept of point of zero charge and the techniques for its experimental determination. He/she should also recall the experimental methods for the determination of colloidal particle size and should be able to apply the concepts of surface charge and particle dimension to predict the stability of a colloidal dispersion.
- Define the concepts of interface and colloid, choosing appropriate examples, and to outline the thermodynamic description of interfaces.
- Explain the concept of adsorption and formulate the Gibbs adsorption equation. The student should also be able to differentiate between physisorption and chemisorption and to describe adsorption enthalpy determinations. He/she should also be able to illustrate the adsorption isotherm models, giving examples.
- Define surface tension and list the techniques for its experimental determination. The student should also be able to apply the Laplace and Kelvin equations at phenomena such as capillarity.
- Describe the characteristics of solid surfaces, illustrate the concepts of wetting and adhesion, outlining their measurement techniques and giving examples of applications. The student should also be able to explain the concept of surface free energy of solids, listing its models and methods for its experimental determination.
- Formulate the BET theory and apply it to the determination of the surface area of solids. The student should also be able to list the experimental methods for the determination of porosity.
- Illustrate interfacial electrification phenomena, outline electrical double layer models and distinguish the behavior of metallic and reversible interfaces. The student should also be able to describe the concept of point of zero charge and the techniques for its experimental determination. He/she should also recall the experimental methods for the determination of colloidal particle size and should be able to apply the concepts of surface charge and particle dimension to predict the stability of a colloidal dispersion.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Online, live lessons via MS Teams
Course syllabus
The course program is coherent with the learning objectives and expected learning outcomes:
· Introduction to interfaces and colloids: their definition and examples. Thermodynamics of interfaces.
· Adsorption: Concept of adsorption and relative Gibbs equation. Physisorption and chemisorption and their distinction via adsorption enthalpy determination. Adsorption isotherms, their experimental determination and examples related to pollutant removal by adsorbents.
· Fluid interfaces. Surface tension and its experimental determination. Capillarity and the Laplace and Kelvin equations. Monolayers at fluid interfaces and examples of their application (e.g., Langmuir-Blodgett films).
· The solid-liquid interface. Characteristics of solid surfaces. Wetting, adhesion and contact angle measurements. Strategies to tailor wetting and adhesion properties: examples and applications. The surface free energy of solids: models and experimental determination.
· The solid-gas interface. Physisorption and the BET theory. Experimental methods for the determination of the surface area of solids with exercises. Adsorption on porous solids and experimental methods for the determination of porosity.
· Interfacial electrification phenomena: origin of electrification phenomena at the interface. Electrical double layer and its models. Behavior of metallic and reversible interfaces with examples. Point of zero charge (with examples) and its experimental determination. Experimental determination of colloidal particle size by light scattering techniques. Stability of a colloidal dispersion with applications.
· Introduction to interfaces and colloids: their definition and examples. Thermodynamics of interfaces.
· Adsorption: Concept of adsorption and relative Gibbs equation. Physisorption and chemisorption and their distinction via adsorption enthalpy determination. Adsorption isotherms, their experimental determination and examples related to pollutant removal by adsorbents.
· Fluid interfaces. Surface tension and its experimental determination. Capillarity and the Laplace and Kelvin equations. Monolayers at fluid interfaces and examples of their application (e.g., Langmuir-Blodgett films).
· The solid-liquid interface. Characteristics of solid surfaces. Wetting, adhesion and contact angle measurements. Strategies to tailor wetting and adhesion properties: examples and applications. The surface free energy of solids: models and experimental determination.
· The solid-gas interface. Physisorption and the BET theory. Experimental methods for the determination of the surface area of solids with exercises. Adsorption on porous solids and experimental methods for the determination of porosity.
· Interfacial electrification phenomena: origin of electrification phenomena at the interface. Electrical double layer and its models. Behavior of metallic and reversible interfaces with examples. Point of zero charge (with examples) and its experimental determination. Experimental determination of colloidal particle size by light scattering techniques. Stability of a colloidal dispersion with applications.
Prerequisites for admission
The student should know laws of thermodynamics and principles of chemical kinetics.
Teaching methods
Theoretical lessons and exercises.
Teaching Resources
- Hans-Jürgen Butt, Karlheinz Graf, Michael Kappl, Physics and Chemistry of Interfaces, Wiley, 2003
- K. S. Birdi, Surface and Colloid Chemistry. Principles and Applications, CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group, 2010.
- Teaching material given by the professor
- K. S. Birdi, Surface and Colloid Chemistry. Principles and Applications, CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group, 2010.
- Teaching material given by the professor
Assessment methods and Criteria
The assessment method is an oral examination. The student is first asked to prepare a short presentation regarding a literature paper chosen in agreement with the lecturer. After the presentation, the student answers few questions aimed at assessing the general understanding of the principles underlying the behavior of surfaces and interfaces discussed during classes.
Professor(s)