Surface and Interfacial Phenomena in Environmental Systems

Catalog description

This course explores the principles underlying surface and interfacial phenomena, with emphasis on application to mineral processing and environmental systems. The various aspects covered span from gas/solid interfaces, including physical and chemical adsorption; Langmuir, BET and Freundlich isotherms; characterization of porous solids (determination of surface area, pore volume distribution, etc.), surfaces and interfaces, including surface tension and surface (free energy); origin of charge at interfaces; thermodynamics of charged systems (Nernst equation); electrical double layer (diffuse double layer); adsorption in the diffuse and Stern layers; dispersion and flocculation to membrane interfaces, and emulsions and surfactants. As a Writing Across the Curriculum course, ENVSE 404W focuses on developing technical writing skills through laboratory reports and a design project.