Course Overview

- KINETICS: This part brings together the issues of kinetics, its
theoretical foundations and experimental approaches.
- STATISTICAL THERMODYNAMICS: Introducing concepts and methods of
statistical thermodynamics for non ­uniform ortime­de­ pendent
systems 

Learning Achievement

Competence

Course prerequisites

Statistical thermodynamics and basics of Kinetics. Ease in using the
stand­ard mathematical tools of physical chemistry.

Grading Philosophy

-
Type of assessment / first session: intermediate written exam (40%
weightof overall mark), final written exam (60% weight of overall
mark).

-
In case of failures / second session: written or oral exam (60% weight
ofoverall mark), recall of the first session intermediate evaluation
(40% weight of overall mark).

Course schedule

_PART 1: KINETICS_

-
Formal kinetics; Rate laws

(Rate of reactions, coupled reactions, complex reactions, chain
reactions)

-
Basics of transition state theory

-
Experimental techniques

(Stopped flowstudies, spectroscopic methods, microfluidics approaches)

-
Catalysis

(Kinetics of enzymecatalyzed reactions / homogeneous catalysis,
kinetics of heterogeneous reactions, photocatalysis, autocatalysis,
chemical oscillations)

5.Reaction in solution; reaction-diffusion

6. Photochemical kinetics

(Light absorption, kinetics of radiative and non radiative processes,
photopolymerization and cross-linking, light-induced atmospheric
reactions, natural photosynthesis, mechanisms of vision)

7. Kinetics and reactor design

(Aspects of Mass, heat and momentum balances, multiphase flow
reactors)

_PART 2: STATISTICAL THERMODYNAMICS _

-
Grand­ canonical description of non­ uniform systems:
Electro­chemical potential, generalised chemical potentials

-
Euler ­Lagrange description of the equilibrium state. Gaussian
fluctuations

-
Out ­of ­equilibrium response: Fick's law, Ohm’s law and similar
linear response properties

-
Sedimentation. Poisson ­Boltzmann approach to the ionic double layer.
Debye screening length

-
Phase separation: The interface as a discontinuity. Critical points

-
Phase separation: Smooth interfacial profiles, compressibility,
correlation length and surface tension

-
Equilibrium or kinetically stationary state? Einstein relation for the
diffusion coefficient

-
Nucleation: Laplace pressure and critical radius
Spinodal decomposition

Course type

Lectures, tutorials  -  51 contact hours (38 sessions of lectures + tutorials); 100 hours self-study; 4.5 hours written exam for assessment. 

Online Course Requirement

Instructor

Other information

BIBLIOGRAPHY : 
- Mehran Mostafavi, _Cinétique et dynamique des réactions
chimiques_, EDP Sciences, 2015. 

- P.W.Atkins and J. de Paula, _Physical Chemistry_, Oxford University
Press,2010. 

Duration: 12 weeks (spring semester)

Language of instruction: English
Mode of delivery: Learning mode = in-class 51 contact hours - Assessment procedure = 2 exams (intermediate + final)

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