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About course

CK204V Surfaces, Colloids and Soft Matter 5.0 credits

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The course is online with a series of pre-recorded lectures, with periodic zoom "tutorials". We will address a broad range of surface and colloidal principles and see how these are applied, for example in cosmetics, recycling, detergency, food technology and pharmaceuticals. Some of the sustainability issues we face in this discipline and their solutions form a continuous theme. We will discuss the surface science of nature – how nature solves such challenges as water harvesting by beetles in the desert, how geckos stick to the ceiling and the lotus leaf effect.

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Choose semester and course offering to see current information and more about the course, such as course syllabus, study period, and application information.

Headings with content from the Course syllabus CK204V (Autumn 2023–) are denoted with an asterisk ( )

Content and learning outcomes

Course contents

  • Principles of Surface and Colloid Science
  • Thermodynamics of surface tension, adsorption and interacting surfaces, as well as the relevant experimental approaches.
  • Capillarity
  • Electrostatics of interfaces and titration of surface charge
  • Electrokinetic phenomena
  • Surface forces: double layer forces, van der Waals forces, steric forces, hydration forces and colloidal stability
  • Stablising dispersions
  • Adhesion
  • Wetting, including superhydrophobicity.
  • Applications of surface chemistry, with focus on paper industry, flotation and cleaning
  • Adsorption:  From gases and liquids, including polymers, polyelectrolytes and the formation of polyelectrolyte complexes.  Solution behaviour of polyectrolytes.
  • Surface modification
  • Surfcatant properties and association to micelles, vesicles, liquid crystals and biomembranes.
  • Emulsions, microemulsions and foams.
  • Gels

Intended learning outcomes

After completing the course, a student should be able to:

  • Explain aspects of surface, colloid and soft matter chemistry.
  • Apply surface and colloid science on interfacial phenomena.
  • Communicate and present surface and colloid science.

Course disposition

No information inserted

Literature and preparations

Specific prerequisites

Equivalent knowledge to a bachelors degree, minor or major, in chemistry, chemical engineering, or material science. and English corresponding to English B/6.

Recommended prerequisites

No information inserted

Equipment

No information inserted

Literature

No information inserted

Examination and completion

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

Grading scale

P, F

Examination

  • INL1 - Assignment, 2.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
  • RAP1 - Report, 3.0 credits, grading scale: P, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination

No information inserted

Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination

No information inserted

Examiner

Ethical approach

  • All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
  • In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
  • In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Further information

Course web

Further information about the course can be found on the Course web at the link below. Information on the Course web will later be moved to this site.

Course web CK204V

Offered by

Main field of study

Chemical Science and Engineering

Education cycle

Second cycle

Add-on studies

No information inserted

Supplementary information

Overlaps with the course KD2350 Surfaces, Colloids and Soft Matter 7.5 credits