Colloids and Surface Chemistry

Macromolecular colloidal particles are formed when on dissolution in a suitable solvent, the macromolecules have sizes which are in the colloidal range. Naturally occurring macromolecules are starch, proteins and cellulose. Man made macromolecules are polymers such as polyethylene, nylon and polystyrene. These colloids are quite stable and resemble true solutions in many respects.

Certain substances behave as strong electrolytes at low concentration but at higher concentrations these substances exhibit colloidal characteristics due to the formation of aggregated particles. These aggregated particles are called micelles. Micelles are called associated colloids. The formation of micelles takes place only above a particular temperature called Kraft Temperature (Tk) and above particular concentration called the critical micelle concentration (CMC). On dilution, these colloids revert back to individual ions.

Macromolecular colloidal particles are formed when on dissolution in a suitable solvent, the macromolecules have sizes which are in the colloidal range. Naturally occurring macromolecules are starch, proteins and cellulose. Man made macromolecules are polymers such as polyethylene, nylon and polystyrene. These colloids are quite stable and resemble true solutions in many respects.

Macromolecular colloidal particles are formed when on dissolution in a suitable solvent, the macromolecules have sizes which are in the colloidal range. Naturally occurring macromolecules are starch, proteins and cellulose. Man made macromolecules are polymers such as polyethylene, nylon and polystyrene. These colloids are quite stable and resemble true solutions in many respects.

Certain substances behave as strong electrolytes at low concentration but at higher concentrations these substances exhibit colloidal characteristics due to the formation of aggregated particles. These aggregated particles are called micelles. Micelles are called associated colloids. The formation of micelles takes place only above a particular temperature called Kraft Temperature (Tk) and above particular concentration called the Critical micelle concentration (CMC).

In this colloid, the colloidal particles are aggregates of atoms or small molecules with molecular sizes less than one nanometre (1 nm). 

In this type of colloidal sols, the dispersed phase has little affinity for the dispersion medium. These colloids are easily precipitated on the addition of small amounts of electrolytes, by heating or by shaking and therefore are not stable. Once precipitated, it is not easy to reconstitute the sol by simple mixing with the dispersion medium. Hence, these sols are called irreversible sols. Examples of lyophobic sols include sols of metals and their insoluble compounds like sulphides and oxides. Lyophobic sols need stabilizing agents to keep the dispersed phase from precipitating out.

In this type of colloids, the colloidal particles are aggregates of atoms or small molecules with molecular size less than one nanometer (1 nm). For e.g., gold sol consists of particles of various sizes which are clusters of several gold atoms. Similarly, sulphur sol consists of colloidal particles which are aggregates of S8 molecules. The molecules in the aggregates are held together by Van der Waal forces.

In this type of colloidal sols, the dispersed phase has little affinity for the dispersion medium. These colloids are easily precipitated on the addition of small amounts of electrolytes, by heating or by shaking and therefore are not stable. Once precipitated, it is not easy to reconstitute the sol by simple mixing with the dispersion medium. Hence, these sols are called irreversible sols. Examples of lyophobic sols include sols of metals and their insoluble compounds like sulphides and oxides. Lyophobic sols need stabilizing agents to keep the dispersed phase from precipitating out.

In this type of colloidal sols, the dispersed phase has little affinity for the dispersion medium. These colloids are easily precipitated on the addition of small amounts of electrolytes, by heating or by shaking and therefore are not stable. Once precipitated, it is not easy to reconstitute the sol by simple mixing with the dispersion medium. Hence, these sols are called irreversible sols. Examples of lyophobic sols include sols of metals and their insoluble compounds like sulphides and oxides. Lyophobic sols need stabilizing agents to keep the dispersed phase from precipitating out.

In this type of colloidal sols, the dispersed phase has little affinity for the dispersion medium. These colloids are easily precipitated on the addition of small amounts of electrolytes, by heating or by shaking and therefore are not stable. Once precipitated, it is not easy to reconstitute the sol by simple mixing with the dispersion medium. Hence, these sols are called irreversible sols. Examples of lyophobic sols include sols of metals and their insoluble compounds like sulphides and oxides. Lyophobic sols need stabilizing agents to keep the dispersed phase from precipitating out.

In this type of colloidal sols, the dispersed phase has little affinity for the dispersion medium. These colloids are easily precipitated on the addition of small amounts of electrolytes, by heating or by shaking and therefore are not stable. Once precipitated, it is not easy to reconstitute the sol by simple mixing with the dispersion medium. Hence, these sols are called irreversible sols. Examples of lyophobic sols include sols of metals and their insoluble compounds like sulphides and oxides. Lyophobic sols need stabilizing agents to keep the dispersed phase from precipitating out.

In this type of colloids sols, the dispersed phase has great attraction for the dispersion medium. In such colloids, the dispersed phase does not precipitate easily and the sols are quite stable. If the dispersion medium is separated from the dispersed phase, the sol can be reconstituted by simply remixing with the dispersion medium. Hence, these sols are called reversible sols. Examples of lyophilic sols include sols of gum, gelatine, starch, proteins and certain polymers in organic solvents.

In this type of colloids sols, the dispersed phase has great attraction for the dispersion medium. In such colloids, the dispersed phase does not precipitate easily and the sols are quite stable. If the dispersion medium is separated from the dispersed phase, the sol can be reconstituted by simply remixing with the dispersion medium. Hence, these sols are called reversible sols. Examples of lyophilic sols include sols of gum, gelatine, starch, proteins and certain polymers in organic solvents.

In this type of colloids sols, the dispersed phase has great attraction for the dispersion medium. In such colloids, the dispersed phase does not precipitate easily and the sols are quite stable. If the dispersion medium is separated from the dispersed phase, the sol can be reconstituted by simply remixing with the dispersion medium. Hence, these sols are called reversible sols. Examples of lyophilic sols include sols of gum, gelatine, starch, proteins and certain polymers in organic solvents.

Hydrophobic sols are often formed when rapid crystallization takes place. With rapid crystallization, many centres of crystallization called nuclei are formed at once. Ions are attracted to these nuclei and very small crystals are formed. These small crystals are prevented from settling out by the random thermal motion of the water molecules.

Certain substances behave as strong electrolytes at low concentration but at higher concentrations these substances exhibit colloidal characteristics due to the formation of aggregated particles. These aggregated particles are called micelles. Micelles are called associated colloids. The formation of micelles takes place only above a particular temperature called Kraft Temperature (Tk) and above particular concentration called the Critical micelle concentration (CMC). On dilution, these colloids revert back to individual ions. Surface active molecules such as soaps and synthetic detergents form associated colloids in water. For soaps, the CMC is about 10-4 to 10-3 mol L-1. Micelles have both a lyophilic and lyophobic parts. Micelles may consists of more than 100 molecules.

All are the application of colloids.

Certain substances behave as strong electrolytes at low concentration but at higher concentrations these substances exhibit colloidal characteristics due to the formation of aggregated particles. These aggregated particles are called micelles. Micelles are called associated colloids. The formation of micelles takes place only above a particular temperature called Kraft Temperature (Tk) and above particular concentration called the Critical micelle concentration (CMC). On dilution, these colloids revert back to individual ions. Surface active molecules such as soaps and synthetic detergents form associated colloids in water. For soaps, the CMC is about 10-4 to 10-3 mol L-1. Micelles have both a lyophilic and lyophobic parts. Micelles may consists of more than 100 molecules.

In this type of colloidal sols, the dispersed phase has little affinity for the dispersion medium. These colloids are easily precipitated on the addition of small amounts of electrolytes, by heating or by shaking and therefore are not stable. Once precipitated, it is not easy to reconstitute the sol by simple mixing with the dispersion medium. Hence, these sols are called irreversible sols. Examples of lyophobic sols include sols of metals and their insoluble compounds like sulphides and oxides. Lyophobic sols need stabilizing agents to keep the dispersed phase from precipitating out.

Certain substances behave as strong electrolytes at low concentration but at higher concentrations these substances exhibit colloidal characteristics due to the formation of aggregated particles. These aggregated particles are called micelles. Micelles are called associated colloids. On dilution, these colloids revert back to individual ions.

Coagulation is the process by which a colloid precipitates out of a solution. The precipitation is brought about by induced aggregation. Milk is a colloidal suspension in which the particles are prevented from aggregating because they have electric charges of the same sign. When milk sugar (lactose) ferments, ions responsible for curdling are formed.

Coagulation is the process by which a colloid precipitates out of a solution. The precipitation is brought about by induced aggregation. For e.g., an iron (III) hydroxide sol can be made to aggregate by addition of an ionic solution. A positively charged particle of iron (III) hydroxide gathers a layer of anions around it. The thickness of this layer is determined by the charge on the anions. The greater the magnitude of the negative charge, the more compact the layer of charge.

The separation of an emulsion into its consistent liquids is called demulsification. The various methods used for demulsification are freezing, boiling, centrifugation, electrostatic precipitation or chemical methods which destroy the emulsifying agents.

The separation of an emulsion into its consistent liquids is called demulsification. The various methods used for demulsification are freezing, boiling, centrifugation, electrostatic precipitation or chemical methods which destroy the emulsifying agents.