MET E 6420 - Mineral Surface Chemistry of Aqueous Systems: A Molecular View

The course focuses on the surface chemistry study of multiphase systems involving mineral, liquid, and gas, considering the polarity and surface state of different mineral classes. Theory part include: 1) Surface reactions, intermolecular forces, and interfacial water; 2) Origins of surface charge and electrokinetic phenomena; 3) Surfactants and adsorption reactions; 4) Bubble/drop breakage, coalescence, attachment, and release; 5) Fundamental issues in froth flotation, solvent extraction, carbon adsorption, and semi-conductor fabrication. Hands-on training include: 1) Contact angle and surface charge measurement; 2) Demonstration of spectrometers such as FTIR and SFVS; 3) Molecular Dynamics simulation of a mineral-water interface; 4) Ab-initio simulation.