Surface and colloid chemistry is a knowledge area with numerous applications within all areas of chemical and biotechnological engineering. For instance almost all foods, numerous drugs, biological systems, bacterial suspensions, many polymer materials, all ceramic materials, multiphase processes and most chemical-technical consumer products are dispersions or by other means colloidal.
The course is based on surface-active components. Both synthetic and natural amphiphiles are treated. Different phases (micellar, liquid crystalline and microemlsions) as well as aggregates such as vesicles are studied.
A central concept is interparticular interactions in relation to colloidal stability. The role of surface activity in controlling interactions through adsorption and non-adsorption is discussed in relation to technical functionality in systems like emulsions and foams. The role of surface activity for wetting, filtration, dewetting, and sintering is discussed. A generally important aspect is how the material properties of dispersed systems are influenced by colloidal interactions and surface phenomena’s.
The exercise part of the course threat quantitative aspects of the theory as well as problem solving in colloid chemistry. The practicals are aimed to illustrate how different surface and colloidal system might be constructed and work. The practicals are reported in written form. The projects consist of an analysis of surface and colloidal aspects of manufacturing, formulation or application of a consumer product with relevance to the interest of the student. The projects are reported in written and oral form.
