Physical chemistry of surfaces and interfaces

This course covers the fundamentals properties of liquid or solid surfaces and interfaces. From a unified overview of intermolecular forces, a physical description of the liquid state and of complex systems where matter is in a highly divided state such as surfactants aggregates, solutions or dispersions is presented. They are characterized by the creation of extremely high surface / volume ratios. The control of the physico-chemical properties of these interfaces is necessary, at molecular scales to optimize their manufacturing and to monitor their functions, from biotechnology to civil engineering. These concepts are applied to the behavior of objects such as living tissue, cosmetics, paints and processes such as coating, detergency or therapeutic targeting.

I. Intermolecular and surface forces: Polarization and Van der Waals forces, Solvatation forces, Electric double-layer (DLVO) II. Solid/liquid interfaces: Surface energy and adhesion, Wetting and capillarity, Spreading of thin liquid films III. Adsorption and surface modifications, Self-assembled systems and Langmuir films, Polymer interfaces IV. Micelles, emulsions et foams: Surfactants and micellar systems, Stability of colloids, Flows, molecular structure and their interactions