Colloids and Surfaces

Overview

This course introduces the fundamentals of colloids and nanoparticle science, wherever possible applications of these concepts will be discussed.

Syllabus 8

Week 1
- Introduction and motivation
- Colloidal dispersions, terminology and classification
- Stability in colloids
- Source, synthesis and characterisation of colloids
- Characterisation of colloidal particles - I
Week 2
- Characterisation of colloidal particles - II
- Introduction to forces acting on an individual colloidal particle
- Introduction to interaction between colloidal particles
- Application of Brownian force: Measument of diffusivity and size
- Origin of scattering
- Radiation used to study colloidal systems
Week 3
- Molecular origin of Van der waals forces
- Vanderwaal interactions between particles
- Problem on scaling of Vanderwaal interactions
- Calculation of Vanderwaal's forces between semi-infinite blocks and Hamaker constant - I
- Calculation of Vanderwaal's forces between semi-infinite blocks and Hamaker constant - II
- Theories of Vanderwaal forces based on bulk properties and calculation of Hamaker constant using bulk properties
Week 4
- Effect of medium on Vanderwaal's interactions - I
- Effect of medium on Vanderwaal's interactions - II
- Colloid Polymer mixtures
- Colloid polymer mixtures: colloid-solvent interactions & colloid-polymer interactions
- Colloid polymer mixtures: Depletion flocculation
- Colloid polymer mixtures: Depletion stabilisation
Week 5
- Depletion interactions
- Steric interactions/osmotic repulsion
- Tutorial problem on depletion interactions
- Colloidal Interactions: Introduction to electrostatic interactions/electrical double layer interactions
- Introduction to models of electrical double layer: Helmholtz model/capacitor model
- Review and summary of Helmholtz model (or capacitor model) of electrical double layer
Week 6
- Models of electrical double layer: Diffuse double layer model/Gouy-Chapman model
- Potential distribution near planar surfaces: Derivation of the Poisson-Boltzmann equation
- Potential distribution near planar surfaces: Solution to the linearised Poisson-Boltzmann equation
- Potential distribution near spherical surfaces: Solution to linearised Poisson-Boltzmann equation
- Comparison of Capacitor model and Diffuse double layer model
Week 7
- Models of electrical double layer: Gouy Chapman Theory - I
- Models of electrical double layer: Gouy Chapman Theory - II
- Structure of Electrical double layer
- Force of Repulsion between interacting surfaces
- Potential Energy of repulsion between Planar double layers and DLVO Theory
Week 8
- Zeta Potential and Electrophoretic mobility of an ion
- Electrokinetic Phenomena
- Relation between Electrophoretic mobility and Zeta potential - I
- Relation between Electrophoretic mobility and Zeta potential - II
- Colloidal particles at interfaces:Introduction
- Characterization of Particles at interface
- Experimental Observations -Concept of Electrostatic interactions and Stability at interfaces
- Implications from Surface energy balances & Estimation of energy required for detachment
- Colloidal interactions at interface

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages

Taught by IIT and IISc professors, and it follows the Indian university syllabus closely.
All videos and assignments are free on NPTEL and SWAYAM.
The certificate is recognised by many Indian universities for credit transfer and by GATE aspirants.
Great for GATE and semester exam preparation.
Taught by Indian Institute of Technology Madras, one of the strongest names in its field.
Completely free.
Self-paced: start any time.
A clear syllabus (8 parts) you can see before you start.

Disadvantages

The certificate needs a proctored exam at a centre, which has a fee.
Recorded classroom lectures: thorough, but slower than made-for-online courses.
New runs start on fixed dates (January and July).
Learning is free, but the certificate costs money.

Some points apply to every course of this kind; see how we rank.

Free to learn

Free: Every video and assignment is free on NPTEL and SWAYAM. Enrol when the next run opens.
Certificate: Optional. It needs a proctored exam at a centre, which has a fee.

Taught by

Prof. Basavaraj Madivala GurappaIIT Madras

Indian Institute of Technology Madras is in Tier 1: world-leading universities and India's top institutes of our institution ranking (96/100). Runs NPTEL and the online BS in Data Science.