Lecture

Interfacial Chemistry: Introduction & Importance

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In course

CH-341: Physical chemistry of interfaces

Acquire an understanding of interfacial phenomena, micro-heterogeneous colloidal solution systems and dynamic electrochemistry. ...

Description

This lecture introduces the concept of interfacial chemistry, focusing on the gas/liquid interface. It covers the definition of emulsions, the importance of interfaces in various fields such as biology, food, and mineral processing, and the relationship between particle size and interfaces. The lecture also discusses different types of interfaces, colloids, and dispersions. Furthermore, it explores the science behind surface tension, including its macroscopic and microscopic views, and provides examples of its applications through various experiments. Reference books and resources for further study in interfacial science are also recommended.

Instructor

Rainer Beck

Professor titulaire EPFL, 2006 Privat Docent EPFL, 1997 Habilitation and venia legendi, Universität Karlsruhe, 1996 Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry, Oregon State University, 1990 Degree in Physics, Universität Stuttgart, 1985

Official source

Related concepts (32)

Surface tension

Surface tension is the tendency of liquid surfaces at rest to shrink into the minimum surface area possible. Surface tension is what allows objects with a higher density than water such as razor blades and insects (e.g. water striders) to float on a water surface without becoming even partly submerged. At liquid–air interfaces, surface tension results from the greater attraction of liquid molecules to each other (due to cohesion) than to the molecules in the air (due to adhesion). There are two primary mechanisms in play.

Surface energy

In surface science, surface free energy (also interfacial free energy or surface energy) quantifies the disruption of intermolecular bonds that occurs when a surface is created. In solid-state physics, surfaces must be intrinsically less energetically favorable than the bulk of the material (the atoms on the surface have more energy compared with the atoms in the bulk), otherwise there would be a driving force for surfaces to be created, removing the bulk of the material (see sublimation).

Surface science

Surface science is the study of physical and chemical phenomena that occur at the interface of two phases, including solid–liquid interfaces, solid–gas interfaces, solid–vacuum interfaces, and liquid–gas interfaces. It includes the fields of surface chemistry and surface physics. Some related practical applications are classed as surface engineering. The science encompasses concepts such as heterogeneous catalysis, semiconductor device fabrication, fuel cells, self-assembled monolayers, and adhesives.

Colloid

A colloid is a mixture in which one substance consisting of microscopically dispersed insoluble particles is suspended throughout another substance. Some definitions specify that the particles must be dispersed in a liquid, while others extend the definition to include substances like aerosols and gels. The term colloidal suspension refers unambiguously to the overall mixture (although a narrower sense of the word suspension is distinguished from colloids by larger particle size).

Dispersion (chemistry)

A dispersion is a system in which distributed particles of one material are dispersed in a continuous phase of another material. The two phases may be in the same or different states of matter. Dispersions are classified in a number of different ways, including how large the particles are in relation to the particles of the continuous phase, whether or not precipitation occurs, and the presence of Brownian motion. In general, dispersions of particles sufficiently large for sedimentation are called suspensions, while those of smaller particles are called colloids and solutions.

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