Course Overview

Acquiring the basic knowledge of colloids & polymer science: what are
colloids & polymers, how they are made, how they do behave in various
encountered experimental situations, what are their microscopic
structures, what they are used for. Students also acquire the basic
principles of microfluidics.

> STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO USE THE ACQUIRED KNOWLEDGE TO PERFORM THE
FOLLOWING ACTIONS:

- Synthesize some basic polymer molecules and colloidal suspensions,
- Know the basic methods to characterize the physical chemical
properties of basic colloids & polymer systems,
- Know how to use colloids & polymer systems in some targeted
applications.

Learning Achievement

Competence

Course prerequisites

- Academic level: BSc.
- Selection criteria: basic knowledge in chemistry and/or physical
chemistry.
- Language prerequisites: English or French.
- Selection procedure: evaluation of the students CV.

Grading Philosophy

The first session will take place in December (7th-16th).

> Evaluation of practical sessions based on results obtained in the
labs and evaluation of the written reports = 30 % of the overall mark

- Intermediate exam (quiz) = 20 % of the overall marks - Written
final exam: 1h 30 = 50 % of the overall mark

> In case of failure, a second session will be organized for the final
exam (50% of the overall marks) either as a written final exam or an
oral session depending on the number of failing students. This 2nd
session will take place at the end of June. The other marks (Written
reports and intermediate exam) will be reported from session 1.

Course schedule

PART 1: POLYMERS
> Introduction - Definitions

- Definitions and representation

- Classification
- Nomenclature
- Synthesis paths: polycondensation, chain polymerisation
- Cohesion in macromolecules

> Macromolecular Structures

- Succession of monomer units
- Stereochemistry and tacticity
- Topology, dimensionality
- Macromolecular dimensions and molecular weight

> Conformations of polymer chains

- Statistical conformations of linear chains (as melt or solution)
- Regular conformations

> Morphology of polymer materials and phase transitions

- Amorphous polymers
- Glass transition : definition, dynamic aspects

- Semi-cristalline polymers: definition, fusion, crystallisation,
thermal analysis

PART 2: COLLOIDS
> Introduction and presentation of colloidal materials

- Historical view
- Length scale
- Some examples
- Brownian motion

> Surface energy

- Surface tension : macro and microscopic aspects

- Interfaces : liquid/liquid, liquid/gas, solid/liquid, etc.
- High and low energy surfaces
- Laplace pressure
- Wetting phenomena: contact angle
- Spreading parameters
- Capillarity
- Experimental determination of surface tension
- Laws of Cassie-Baxter, Wenzel, Zisman

> Surface tension in microfluidics

- Introduction to microfluidics
- Flow diagram : influence of surface tension
- Formulation of colloidal materials using microfluidics

PRACTICAL SESSION 1 : EMULSION POLYMERISATION

PRACTICAL SESSION 2 : MEASUREMENT OF WETTING PROPERTIES

PRACTICAL SESSION 3 : A FLOW PHASE DIAGRAM

PRACTICAL SESSION 4 : MEASUREMENT OF SURFACE TENSION

Course type

- Lectures: 19 lectures of 1h 20 (oral in French, all written support in English) - Exercise session (in French or English): 7 sessions of 1h 20 - Practical session (in French or English): 4 sessions of 4h - Tutoring (for non French speaking persons): 9 sessions of 1h20 - Teaching supports available on the Moodle platform - Self study: 105 hours (50h private reading, 20h exam preparation, 20h exercise preparation, 15h preparation/report of practical session)

Online Course Requirement

Instructor

Other information

Language of instruction: English
Mode of delivery: Face-to-face teaching

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