SEM :- 1-1 (R23) ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY UNIT-5

SYLLABUS

1. Introduction to surface chemistry,

2. colloids,
3. nanometals and nanometal oxides,
4. micelle formation,
5. synthesis of colloids (Braggs Method),
6. chemical and biological methods of preparation of
nanometals and metal oxides,
7. stabilization of colloids and nanomaterials by
stabilizing agents,
8. adsorption isotherm (Freundlich and Longmuir),
9. BET equation (no derivation) applications of colloids
and nanomaterials –

10. catalysis,

11. medicine, sensors, etc

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INTRODUCTION TO SURFACE CHEMISTRY

Certainly! Let’s explore the captivating realm of surface chemistry and its intriguing
facets.

1. What Is Surface Chemistry?

o Surface chemistry is the study of chemical phenomena that occur at the interface of
two surfaces. These surfaces can be solid-liquid, solid-gas, solid-vacuum, liquid-gas,
and more.
o It plays a crucial role in various contexts, from industries to our day-to-day lives.
o Some key applications of surface chemistry include:
 Adsorption: Accumulation of species on a surface due to intermolecular
forces.
 Heterogeneous Catalysis: Catalytic reactions occurring at surfaces.
 Corrosion: Surface degradation due to chemical reactions.
 Crystallization: Formation of crystals on surfaces.
o Surface chemistry also finds applications in:
 Enzymatic reactions at biological interfaces (e.g., cell walls and membranes).
 Electronics industry: Microchip surfaces in computers.
 Automobile exhausts: Heterogeneous catalysts in catalytic converters for
emission control.
2. Role of Adsorption in Surface Chemistry:
o Adsorption: The accumulation of species (e.g., gases) on a surface due to
intermolecular forces.
o Physical Adsorption (Physisorption):
 Weak van der Waals forces between adsorbate and adsorbent.
 Not specific in nature, reversible, and multi-layered.
 Low enthalpy of adsorption (20–40 kJ/mole).
o Chemical Adsorption (Chemisorption):

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 Strong chemical forces between adsorbate and adsorbent.

 Highly specific, irreversible, and single-layered.
 High enthalpy of adsorption (40–400 kJ/mole).
3. Phenomena at Interfaces:
o Catalysis: Surface chemistry plays a pivotal role in catalytic processes.
o Colloid Formation: Colloids involve interfaces (e.g., gas-liquid, liquid-solid).
o Electrode Reactions: Occur at solid-liquid interfaces.
o Chromatography: Separation techniques based on surface interactions.
4. Difference Between Surfaces and Internal Areas:
o Surfaces refer to the outermost layers of materials, where interactions with other
substances occur.
o Internal areas are deeper within the material, away from the surface.

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2.) Colloids:

o Colloids are a class of mixtures where particles (called colloidal particles) are
dispersed in a continuous medium (usually a liquid).
o Key characteristics:
 Particle size: Colloidal particles are larger than individual molecules but
smaller than visible particles.
 Stability: Colloids exhibit stability due to surface forces preventing particle
aggregation.
 Brownian motion: Colloidal particles constantly move due to collisions with
solvent molecules.
o Examples of colloids:
 Milk: Fat globules suspended in water.
 Fog: Tiny water droplets in air.

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 Blood plasma: Proteins and cells dispersed in a liquid medium.

3.) Nanometals:

o Nanometals refer to metal particles with dimensions in the nanometer range

(typically 1–100 nanometers).
o Properties of nanometals:
 High surface area: Nanoscale size leads to increased surface area, affecting
reactivity.
 Quantum effects: Quantum confinement at the nanoscale alters electronic
properties.
 Color changes: Nanosized gold particles appear red due to surface plasmon
resonance.
o Applications:
 Catalysis: Nanometals serve as efficient catalysts.
 Electronics: Nanoscale metal components in microchips.
 Antibacterial agents: Silver nanoparticles exhibit antimicrobial properties1.

Nanometal Oxides:
o These are metal oxide particles at the nanoscale.
o Examples:
 Titanium dioxide (TiO₂): Used in sunscreens (blocks UV rays) and
photocatalysis.
 Zinc oxide (ZnO): Found in sunscreens and as an antibacterial agent.
 Iron oxide (FeO): Used in magnetic storage media.
 Copper oxide (CuO): Exhibits catalytic properties.
 Magnesium oxide (MgO): Used in ceramics and refractories.

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Certainly! Let’s enhance the formatting by removing the serial numbers and increasing
the font size for the subheadings:

Micelle Formation

 Definition: Micelles are self-assembled structures formed by amphiphilic molecules

(such as surfactants or block copolymers) in a solvent.
 Principle: Micelle formation occurs due to the minimization of free energy.
Hydrophobic segments of the amphiphilic molecules avoid contact with water by
aggregating into a core, while hydrophilic segments remain exposed to the aqueous
environment.
 Characteristics:
o Core-shell Structure: Micelles have a hydrophobic core surrounded by a
hydrophilic shell.
o Dynamic Equilibrium: Micellar colloids are in dynamic equilibrium with
monomers in the solution.
 Applications:
o Drug Delivery: Micelles serve as nanocarriers for poorly soluble drugs, enhancing
their bioavailability.

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o Polymeric Micelles: Block copolymers form micelles, aiding drug encapsulation

and targeted delivery.

Synthesis of Colloids using Bragg’s Method

 Bragg’s Law: Relates the angle of diffraction to the wavelength and spacing of crystal
lattice planes.
 Application to Colloids:
o In the Bragg’s method, X-rays or neutrons are used to study the structure of
colloidal particles.
o When X-rays/neutrons interact with colloidal particles, they undergo diffraction.
o By analyzing the diffraction pattern, we can determine the interplanar spacing
within the colloidal particles.
 Significance:
o Helps understand the arrangement of atoms/molecules within colloidal particles.
o Provides insights into the crystallographic structure of nanoparticles.
o Useful for studying nanometal oxides and other colloidal systems.

Remember, both micelles and colloids play essential roles in various scientific and
industrial applications. Their behavior at interfaces and unique properties continue to
intrigue researchers worldwide! 🌟🌟🌟.

CHEMICAL METHODS

Certainly! Let’s explore the intriguing methods for the preparation of nanometals and
metal oxides, both from chemical and biological perspectives:

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1. Chemical Methods:
o Chemical approaches involve controlled reactions to synthesize nanoparticles.
While some methods are relatively straightforward, others require specialized
conditions. Here are a few chemical methods:
 Coprecipitation Method:
 Involves simultaneous precipitation of metal ions from a
solution.
 Precipitation agents (such as NaOH or NH₄OH) are added to a
metal salt solution.
 The resulting precipitate is then heated to form nanoparticles.
 Widely used for preparing metal oxides like Fe₂O₃ and MnO₂.
 Hydrothermal Method:
 Utilizes high-temperature and high-pressure conditions.
 Metal salts react with water at elevated temperatures (usually
above 100°C).
 Yields well-defined nanoparticles with controlled sizes and
shapes.
 Commonly used for metal oxide synthesis (e.g., ZnO, TiO₂).
2. Biological Methods (Green Synthesis):
o These methods utilize natural sources, such as plant extracts and
microorganisms, to reduce and stabilize metal ions. Advantages include eco-
friendliness and cost-effectiveness.
o Key points:
 Phytochemicals in Plant Extracts:
 Plant extracts contain bioactive compounds (phytochemicals)
that act as reducing agents.
 These compounds transform metal ions into nanoparticles.
 Examples include flavonoids, polyphenols, and alkaloids.

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 Microbial Enzymes and Biomolecules:

 Microorganisms (bacteria, fungi) produce enzymes and
biomolecules.
 These biomolecules reduce metal ions and stabilize
nanoparticles.
 Enzymes like nitrate reductase and proteins play crucial roles.
o Advantages of Green Synthesis:
 Environmentally friendly.
 Renewable and sustainable.
 Cost-effective.
 Safe and non-toxic.
o Challenges:
 Ensuring reproducibility.
 Controlling particle size and shape.
 Scaling up for industrial applications.

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Stabilization of Colloids and Nanomaterials by Stabilizing Agents

 Definition: Colloids are dispersed systems where particles (often nanoparticles) remain
suspended in a continuous medium (liquid or gas). Stabilizing agents prevent particle
aggregation and maintain colloidal stability.
 Nanoparticles as Stabilizers:
o Nanoparticles (such as silica, metal oxides, graphene, and fly ash nanoparticles) have
been extensively studied for their ability to stabilize colloids.
o They irreversibly adsorb at the gas/liquid interface, enhancing:
 Dilatational viscoelasticity: Resistance to deformation during expansion or
compression.

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 Interfacial properties of foam liquid films: Improving foam stability.

 Retardation of film thinning and bubble coalescence.
 Reduction of Ostwald ripening (growth of larger particles at the expense of
smaller ones).
 Surface Wettability and Hydrophilicity:
o Hydrophilic nanoparticles (with contact angles between 40° and 70°) maximize
detachment energy at the gas/liquid interface.
o This contributes to both static and dynamic foam stability.
 Applications:
o Enhanced oil recovery (EOR): Nanoparticle-stabilized foam can address drawbacks in
gas EOR processes.

Adsorption Isotherms

 These describe the relationship between the amount of adsorbate (e.g., nanoparticles)
adsorbed on a surface and the concentration of the adsorbate in the solution.
 Two commonly used isotherms are the Freundlich isotherm and the Langmuir
isotherm:
o Freundlich Isotherm:
 Empirical model for heterogeneous surfaces.
 Describes multilayer adsorption.
 Equation: (q = K_f \cdot C^n), where (q) is the amount adsorbed, (C) is
the concentration, and (K_f) and (n) are constants.
 Useful for understanding adsorption on complex surfaces.
o Langmuir Isotherm:
 Assumes monolayer adsorption on a homogeneous surface.
 Equation: (\frac{q}{C} = \frac{1}{K_L} + \frac{q_m}{K_L}), where (q) is the
amount adsorbed, (C) is the concentration, (K_L) is the Langmuir
constant, and (q_m) is the maximum adsorption capacity.

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 Provides insights into surface energetics and saturation.

 Applications:
o Adsorption studies (e.g., water treatment, catalysis, drug delivery).
o Understanding nanoparticle interactions with surfaces.

In summary, the interplay between stabilizing agents, nanoparticle adsorption, and

adsorption isotherms plays a crucial role in colloid stability and various applications.
🌟🌟🌟

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--BET Equation and Applications of Colloids and Nanomaterials

BET Equation (No Derivation)

 The BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller) equation is a fundamental tool for determining the specific
surface area of nanoparticles and porous materials.
 It relates the amount of gas adsorbed on a solid surface to the pressure of the gas in the
surrounding environment.
 The BET equation is widely used in surface area analysis, especially for nanomaterials.

Applications of Colloids and Nanomaterials

1. Catalysis:
o Nanoparticles serve as efficient catalysts due to their high surface area.
o Examples include metal nanoparticles (e.g., platinum, palladium) in catalytic converters
and heterogeneous catalysis.
2. Medicine:
o Drug Delivery: Colloidal systems (liposomes, micelles) transport drugs to specific sites in
the body.
o Nanoparticles in Imaging: Quantum dots and iron oxide nanoparticles enhance medical
imaging (MRI, fluorescence).
3. Sensors:
o Nanomaterials (such as graphene, carbon nanotubes) improve sensor performance.
o Biosensors detect specific molecules (e.g., glucose) using colloidal nanoparticles.
4. Environmental Remediation:
o Nanoparticles remove pollutants (heavy metals, organic compounds) from water and
soil.
o Colloidal systems aid in wastewater treatment.
5. Energy Applications:
o Solar Cells: Colloidal quantum dots enhance solar cell efficiency.

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o Fuel Cells: Nanomaterials improve fuel cell performance.

In summary, colloids and nanomaterials find diverse applications across various fields,
revolutionizing medicine, energy, and environmental technologies. 🌟🌟🌟

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