Adsorption of molecules from solution is one of the most fundamental processes in soft matter physics/surface chemistry. All amphiphilic molecules – surfactants, polar lipids, surface active polymers – have a tendency to adsorb at surfaces. Polyelectrolytes also interact with surfaces of opposite charge.

There is a broad range of industrial applications where adsorption of a solute at a solid surface is a key event. Textile and hard surface cleaning, personal care, paper-making, paints and printing inks, mineral ore flotation, and lubrication are examples of household and industrial applications where adsorption of carefully designed amphiphiles or polyelectrolytes is important. Many biological processes depend on adsorption of polar lipids and biomacromolecules.

Monitoring the adsorption process is not easy. Adsorption is a reversible and often highly dynamic process and the adsorbed layer is usually very thin, just a monolayer. During recent years there has been a rapid development of techniques to characterize adsorbed layers and to monitor adsorption. This course will deal with three of the most important techniques for the purpose: ellipsometry, quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D), and surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The lectures will cover general principles regarding the techniques and and also illustrate applications.

Course responsible

Dr. Romain Bordes, Chalmers; phone: 031-772 2976; email: bordes@chalmers.se.

Teachers

Professor Tommy Nylander, Lund University will give the lectures on ellipsometry.

Professor Fredrik Höök, Chalmers will give the lectures on QCM-D.

Dr. Olof Andersson, Linköping University will give the lectures on SPR.

Dr. Romain Bordes, Chalmers will show how all three techniques can be combined in the study of surfactant at solid surfaces.

Examination

The students are expected to work actively during the course. The participants will receive material to study in advance. During the course there will be individual assignments and individual presentations. We recommend that students after completing the course will be given 4.5 ECTS.

Date

June 14-17, 2010

Venue

A conference site in the Göteborg area. The exact location will be communicated later. Students will be put in double rooms unless there are special reasons for single room accommodation.

Number of participants

The number of students will be limited to 25.

Program

A detailed program for the course will be announced shortly.

Cost

The course is free for all PhD students. All meals are included.

Registration

To register, contact Ann Jakobsson at Chalmers; phone: 031-772 2970; email anja@chalmers.se.