Surface and Colloid Chemistry
Overview
Introduce students to: Important areas of chemistry which have significant, current industrial and environmental application; Developing areas in chemistry with substantial, new research and development (value-adding) potential.
Requisites
Any two of the following:
CHE20006 Analytical and Forensic Chemistry
OR
CHE20008 Investigative Organic Chemistry
OR
CHE20009 Spectroscopy and Instrumentation
OR
CHE30010 Inorganic Chemistry
31-May-2026
Unit learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Describe the fundamental aspects of colloid and surface chemistry
- Demonstrate how colloid and surface chemistry is applied in industry and the environment
- Describe the origin of intermolecular and surface forces
- Describe the properties of multi-phase systems
- Describe the concept of interfacial energy
- Describe surfactant structure and aggregation
- Use relevant lab based techniques for characterisation of colloids and surface phenomena
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus Class | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| On-campus Lab | 4.00 | 6 weeks | 24 |
| Online Learning activities | 3.00 | 12 weeks | 36 |
| Unspecified Activities Independent Learning | 5.50 | 12 weeks | 66 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | Individual | 25 - 35% | 1,2,3,6 |
| Mid-Semester Test | Individual | 25 - 35% | 1,2,4,5 |
| Practical Examination | Individual/Group | 20 - 40% | 7 |
Hurdle
As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass a unit and meet all ULOs to a minimum standard, an undergraduate student must have achieved:
(i) an aggregate mark of 50% or more, and(ii) at least 40% in the final exam, and(iii) completion of a specific fraction of non-reportable laboratory work based on the criteria for successful completion as explained in the lab handout(s).Students who do not successfully achieve hurdle requirements (ii) and (iii) will receive a maximum of 45% as the total mark for the unit.
Content
Colloid Chemistry:
- Introduction to colloid science
- Colloidal stability and DLVO theory
- Self-assembly, surfactants and lipids
- Emulsions and microemulsions
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Surface Chemistry:
- Basic principles of surface chemistry
- Surface tension, Young's equation and wettability
- Liquid surfaces, capillarity and vapour pressure of drops and bubbles
- Adsorption at interfaces and contact angle measurement
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.