Index

1. Introduction
2. Colloidal Dispersions
3. Classification of Colloids
4. Hydrocolloids
5. Dispersed Systems
6. Stabilization of Colloidal Dispersion
7. Destabilization of Colloidal Dispersion
8. Properties of Colloidal Solutions
9. Application of Colloids
10. Bibliography
 COLLOID
-> Introduction :
A colloid or colloidal dispersion is a type of homogenous mixture. A colloid
consists of two separate phases : Dispersed phase & Continuous phase. The
Dispersed phase is made of tiny particles or droplets that are distributed evenly
throughout the continuous phase. Homogeneous mixtures with a Dispersed
phase in the size range 1 nm to 100 nm may be called colloidal aerosols, colloidal
emulsions, colloidal foams, colloidal dispersions or hydrosols.

If a colloidal has a solid phase dispersed in a liquid, the solid particles will not
pass through a membrane, whereas the dissolved ions or molecules of a solution
will pass through.

Some colloids are translucent due to Tyndall effect (scattering of light by particles
in colloid).

Some of the examples of colloids include butter, milk, aerosols (fog, smoke),
paints, glues etc.

This field of study was introduced in 1861 by Scottish scientist “Thomas

Graham”.
 Colloidal Dispersions
>> Solute doesn’t completely dissolve in solvent but not visible to the naked
eye.
>> Will Scatter light – gives an opaque, turbid appearance
>> Exhibits characteristics of a molecular solution
(Brownian motion, capacity for diffusion)
>> Size 1 nm - 0.5 nm

Classification of Colloids
-> Colloids can be classified on the basis of interaction between Dispersed phase
(DP) & Dispersion medium (DM) :

a) Lyophillic colloids / Hydrophilic colloids :

(i) Strong affinity is present between particles of DP & DM.

(ii) It’s reversible because DP & DM can be separated.

(iii) It’s stable & don’t get easily precipitated.

(iv)When DM is water , it’s called Hydrophilic.

b) Lyophobic colloids / Hydrophobic colloids :

(i) No or very low affinity is present between particles of DP & DM.

(ii) It’s irreversible because DP & DM can’t be separated.

(iii) It’s very less stable & has tendency to get precipitated out easily.

(iv)When DM is water , it’s called Hydrophobic.

-> Colloids can be classified on the basis of size of colloidal particle :

Multimolecular colloids - Colloidal particle is aggregate of small atom or molecule in

which particles are held by van der Waal’s force.
Macromolecular colloids - Colloidal particles is big molecule or atom like colloidal
solution of polymers. This type of colloidal system is very stable. No need of aggregation or
subtraction.

Hydrocolloids
A Hydrocolloid is defined as a colloidal system wherein the colloid particles are
dispersed in water. Hydrocolloids can be either irreversible or reversible. For
example, agar, can exist in a gel & sol state , & alternate between states with the
addition or elimination of heat. Many Hydrocolloids are derived from natural
sources like pectin is extracted from citrus peel & apple pomade. Hydrocolloids
are employed in food mainly to influence texture or viscosity (e.g. – sauce).
Hydrocolloids are also used in skin-care & wound – dressing.

Dispersed Systems
Dispersed systems may have different degrees of dispersion. Suspensions &
emulsions are classed as coarsely dispersed systems, as particles of their
dispersed phases are comparatively large. Ordinary Solutions are systems having
high degrees of dispersion, as the distributed substance is broken down into
molecules or ions. An intermediate position is occupied by dispersed systems, in
which size of dispersed particles is larger than in ordinary solutions. Such systems
are called colloidal solutions or sols.

Suspensions & emulsions contain particles visible under an ordinary microscope.

Their size exceeds 100 millimicrons ( 0.1 micron ). The heterogeneity of such
a system can be detected by naked eye.

Stabilization of Colloidal Dispersion :

Stabilization serves to prevent colloids from aggregating. Steric stabilization &
electrostatic stabilization are the two main mechanisms for colloid stabilization.
In a stable Colloid, mass of a dispersed phase is so low that its buoyancy or
Kinetic energy is too little to overcome the electrostatic repulsion between
charged layers of the dispersing phase. The charge on the dispersed particle can
be observed by applying an electric field : all particles migrate towards same
electrode possessing same sign charge.

Destabilization of Colloidal Dispersion :

Unstable colloidal dispersions form flocs as the particles aggregate due to
interparticle attractions. This can be accomplished by different methods :

 Removal of electrostatic barrier that prevents aggregation of particles.

 Addition of a charged polymer flocculant. Polymer flocculants can bridge
individual colloidal particles by attractive electrostatic interactions.
 Addition of nonadsorbed polymers called depletants.
 Physical deformation of the particle (e.g. stretching) may increase van der
Waals forces more than stabilizing forces (such as electrostatic), resulting in
coagulation of colloids at certain orientations.

Properties of Colloidal Solutions

Tyndall Effect :
Visible scattering of light along the path of a beam of light as it passes
through a system containing discontinuities. The Luminous path of beam of
light is called Tyndall cone. It shows heterogeneous nature of solution. This
effect isn’t shown by true solution due to small particle size. Colloidal
solution & true solution are differentiated by this effect.

Brownian Movement :
Zig zag motion of colloidal particles in solution is called Brownian
movement. Colloidal particle is bombarded by particle of dispersion
medium & hence rather than following straight line path follows zig zag
 path. Brownian movement provides stability to colloids as it doesn’t allow
the particle to settle down under the influence of gravitational pull.

Colligative property :
Colloidal particles happen to be aggregate. The number of particles in
solution is very small & so all colligative properties are low & under the
conditions only osmotic pressure is suitable for measurement of molar mass.

Applications Of Colloids
(i) Cleansing action of soaps & detergents :
A micelle consists of hydrophobic hydrocarbon – like central core. The cleansing
action of soap is due to the fact that soap molecules form micelle around the oil
droplet in such a way that hydrophobic part of the stearate ions is in the oil
droplet & hyrophillic part projects out of the grease droplet. Since the polar
groups can interact with water, the oil droplet surrounded by stearate ions is now
pulled in water & removed from the dirty surface. Thus soap helps in
emulsification & washing away of oils & fats. The negatively charged sheath
around the globules prevents them from coming together & forming aggregates.

(ii) Purification of water :

The water obtained from natural sources often contains suspended impurities.
Alum is added to such water to coagulate the suspended impurities & make
water fit for dinking purposes.

(iii) Medicines :
Most of the medicines are colloidal in nature. For example – argyrols is a silver
sol used as an eye lotion, colloidal antimony is used in curing kaalazar etc.
Colloidal medicines are more effective because they have large surface area &
are therefore easily assimilated.
(iv) Photographic plates & films :
Photographic plates & films are prepared by coating an emulsion of the light
sensitive bromide in gelatin over glass plates or celluloid films.

(v) Tanning :
Animal hides are colloidal in nature. When a hide, which has positively charged
particles, is soaked in tannin, which contains negatively charged colloidal
particles , mutual coagulation takes place. This results in hardening of leather.
This process in termed as tanning.

(vi) Rubber Industry :

Latex is colloidal solution of rubber particles which are negatively charged.
Rubber is obtained by coagulation of latex.

(vi) Industrial purposes :

Paints, inks, synthetic plastics, rubber, graphite lubricants, cement etc., are all
colloidal solutions.
 Bibliography

The information of the project “Colloidal Solutions” has been collected

from the following sources:

1. www.Wikipedia.org
2. NCERT Chemistry Part I
3. www.encarta.com