Separative chemistry

This course in separation chemistry aims to introduce the various concepts necessary for the study of separation chemistry. The idea is to present the role of the various interactions present in complex environments and their role in separation. The experimental measurement of these various effects, their practical representation, and their link with interfacial phenomena are also discussed.

Hourly volumes:

CM: 12 H

Tutorial: 8 hours

The aim is to provide future master's graduates with a solid understanding of the processes used in separation chemistry. Particular emphasis will be placed on the role of weak interactions and the structure of the complex systems involved.

General chemistry – thermodynamics – solution chemistry

Final exam with a possible second session.

General information on separation chemistry

History of element separation – Role of ions – Dynamic methods and equilibrium methods – Hydrometallurgy – Liquid-liquid extraction – Extractants – Link with chemical engineering – Weak interactions – Role of entropy - Dilution laws – Phase diagram – Covalent, metallic, hydrogen bonding, electrostatic, and Van der Waals interactions, Hamaker approach – Role of the medium and solvent – Physicochemistry of soft matter

II Osmosis and measurement of weak interactions

Van't Hoff's law for osmosis – Justification – Effect of pressure – Applications: "blue" energy, reverse osmosis, balance of living cells, conservation, environment – Osmolarity scales – Osmotic coefficient – Measurement of molar mass – Measurement of equilibrium constant – Role of the standard state associated with the solvent – Debye-Huckel theory – Models for the activity of concentrated solutions – Application to the separation of f elements

III Soft objects

Colloids – Classification – Mesomorphic phases – Liquid crystals – Polymers: size effects, branching, copolymers, chain length, solvent effects, demixing, role of entropic effects

IV The forces involved

Dispersion forces – Link to Hamaker's approach – Role of geometry – Gouy-Chapman theory of the charged double layer – Poisson-Boltzmann equation – DLVO approach – Application to suspension stability – Micellization – Pseudo-phase and chemical equilibrium – Hydrophilic/hydrophobic and solvophilic/solvophobic interactions – Depletion – Effect of Brazil nuts – Surface tension: origin, Gibbs relation, and relevance to separation chemistry – Role of spontaneous curvature effects – Applications to extractants – Emulsions and microemulsions

Administrative contact(s):

Master's Program in Chemistry Secretariat

https://master-chimie.edu.umontpellier.fr/