Thermodynamics of solutions and dispersed systems. Classification of dispersed systems according to the size of the dispersed phase. Thermodynamic conditions for the stability of dispersed systems. Physicochemical equilibria in solutions.

Soft matter – definitions; polymer and biopolymer dispersions; second‑order phase transition – gelation; emulsions. Physicochemistry of interfacial surfaces and interactions of dispersed‑phase particles with the solvent; zeta potential.

Physicochemistry of dispersed polymer chains, including the effect of electrolytes on chain expansion and conformation, radius of gyration, and hydrogels.

Rheological methods for the characterization of dispersed systems: rheological measurement techniques, structural deformation and recovery tests, determination of rheological properties, DLVO theory, etc.

Characterization of dispersed systems using light‑scattering image analysis. Theoretical foundations of light‑scattering physics by dispersed particles; static light scattering (SLS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), small‑angle light scattering (SALS), etc.

Particle size determination; molecular weight determination – Zimm plot construction; turbidimetry – phase separation kinetics; optical microrheology for tracer mobility measurements; zeta potential measurement.

Investigation of the stability of dispersed systems and particle size at the nanoscale – zeta potential measurements

Determination of the macroscopic rheological characteristics of viscoelastic systems – rotational and oscillatory measurements, variable amplitude or frequency sweep tests.

Determination of intermolecular interaction energies in dispersed systems based on DLVO theory.

Determination of the radius of gyration by Zimm plot construction based on SALS measurements.

Determination of gel point parameters and gelation kinetics, phase separation kinetics based on DWS measurements, and mechanisms of destabilization of colloidal systems, suspensions, and emulsions.

Industrial process analysis combined with the identification of dispersed systems occurring therein.

Preparation of a presentation related to an industrial process, covering the stability of emulsions, gels and sols, phase transitions, and the methodology for determining key process parameters.

Characterization of industrial products with consideration of standardization and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) aspects. Discussion during the seminar.

Written examination based on the lecture content.
A prerequisite for passing the course is obtaining a positive grade, i.e. achieving at least 60% of the total available points

Obtaining a positive grade requires:

• delivery of a multimedia presentation / seminar paper on an assigned topic – 60% of the seminar grade;
• active participation in the discussion of other students’ presentations, assessed by the academic instructor – 40% of the seminar grade.

A prerequisite for passing the course is obtaining a positive grade:

• in the oral assessment for all laboratory exercises performed. The average grade from oral quizzes constitutes 20% of the final course grade (66% of the laboratory grade);
• obtaining a positive grade for the substantive laboratory report prepared in laboratory groups – 10% of the final course grade (34% of the laboratory grade).
  The course instructor may differentiate the final report grades taking into account the ongoing observation of the student’s performance during laboratory classes, including, among others, active participation in laboratory work and involvement in data analysis and result interpretation.

Obtaining a positive grade requires that the student is able to:

• define basic thermodynamic quantities and concepts of solutions, is familiar with the classification of dispersed systems and the conditions for their stability;
• define fundamental concepts of soft matter, classify phase transition processes, including gelation as a phase transition;
• characterize interfacial surface concepts and interactions between dispersed‑phase particles and the solvent, including zeta potential, as well as polymer chain dispersions, the dependence of chain expansion on the presence of electrolytes, radius of gyration, and hydrogels;
• demonstrate knowledge of basic rheology and rheometry concepts, as well as rheological measurement techniques and interpretation of rheological data;
• define, describe, and present fundamental methods for the characterization of dispersed systems using image analysis based on monochromatic light scattering techniques.

A positive grade is awarded if the student:

• is able to work effectively in a group and, through collective discussion, interprets the results with reference to the research objective and hypothesis, as well as indicates their significance;
• takes an active part in conducting laboratory experiments and in the analysis of the obtained results and preparation of the report, as assessed on the basis of the instructor’s observation.