COLLOIDS

What is Colloid ?
A colloid is a mixture in which one substance consisting of microscopically dispersed insoluble
particles is suspended throughout another substance.

General Methods of Preparation:

Lyophilic and lyophobic colloidal solutions (or sols) are generally prepared by different types
of methods. Some of the common methods are as follows.

(1) Preparation of Lyophilic colloids

(i) The lyophilic colloids have strong affinity between particles of dispersed phase and
dispersion medium.
(ii) These colloidal solutions are readily formed by simply mixing the dispersed phase and
dispersion medium under ordinary conditions.
(iii) For example, the substance like gelatin, gum, starch, egg, albumin etc. pass readily into
water to give colloidal solution.
(iv) They are reversible in nature become these can be precipitated and directly converted
into colloidal state.

(2) Preparation of Lyophobic colloids:

Lyophobic colloids can be prepared by mainly two types of methods.

(i) Aggregation methods:

In these method, smaller particles of dispersed phase are condensed suitably to be of colloidal
size. This is done by the following methods.
(a) By oxidation:
A colloidal solution of sulphur can be obtained by bubbling oxygen (or any other oxidizing
agent like HNO3 , Br2 etc.) Through a solution of hydrogen sulphide in water.
(b) By reduction :
A number of metals such as silver, gold and platinum, have been obtained in colloidal state
by treating the aqueous solution of their salts, with a suitable reducing agent such as
formaldehyde, phenyl hydrazine, hydrogen peroxide, stannous chloride etc.

The gold sol, thus prepared, has a purple color and is called purple of cassius.
(c) By hydrolysis:
Many salt solutions are rapidly hydrolyzed by boiling dilute solutions of their salts. For
example, ferric hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide sols are obtained by boiling solutions of
the corresponding chlorides.

Similarly silicic acid sol is obtained by the hydrolysis of sodium silicate.

(d) By double decomposition:
A sol of arsenic sulphide is obtained by passing hydrogen sulphide through a cold solution of
arsenious oxide in water.

(e) By excessive cooling:

A colloidal solution of ice in an organic solvent like ether or chloroform can be prepared by
freezing a solution of water in the solvent. The molecules of water which can no longer be
held in solution, separately combine to form particles of colloidal size.
(f) By exchange of solvent :
Colloidal solution of certain substances such as sulphur, phosphorus, which are soluble in
alcohol but insoluble in water can be prepared by pouring their alcoholic solution in excess of
water. For example, alcoholic solution of sulphur on pouring into water gives milky colloidal
solution of sulphur.
(g) By change of physical state:
Sols of substances like mercury and sulphur are prepared by passing their vapors through a
cold water containing a suitable stabilizer such as ammonium salt or citrate.
(ii) Dispersion methods:
In these methods, larger particles of a substance (suspensions) are broken into smaller
particles. The following methods are employed.
(a) Mechanical dispersion:

• In this method, the substance is first ground to coarse particles.

• It is then mixed with the dispersion medium to get a suspension.
• The suspension is then grinded in colloidal mill.
• It consists of two metallic discs nearly touching each other and rotating in opposite
directions at a very high speed about 7000 revolution per minute.
• The space between the discs of the mill is so adjusted that coarse suspension is
subjected to great shearing force giving rise to particles of colloidal size.
• Colloidal solutions of black ink, paints, varnishes, dyes etc. are obtained by this
method.
(b) By electrical dispersion or Bredig’s arc method:
This method is used to prepare sols of platinum, silver, copper or gold.

• The metal whose sol is to be prepared is made as two electrodes which immerged in
dispersion medium such as water etc.
• The dispersion medium is kept cooled by ice.
• An electric arc is struck between the electrodes.
• The tremendous heat generate by this method and give colloidal solution.
 • The colloidal solution prepared is stabilized by adding a small amount of KOH to it.
(c) By peptisation:

• The process of converting a freshly prepared precipitate into colloidal form by the
addition of suitable electrolyte is called peptisation.
• The electrolyte is used for this purpose is called peptizing agent or stabilizing agent.
• Cause of peptisation is the adsorption of the ions of the electrolyte by the particles of
the precipitate.
• Important peptizing agents are sugar, gum, gelatin and electrolytes.
• Freshly prepared ferric hydroxide can be converted into colloidal state by shaking it
with water containing Fe3+ or OH- ions, viz. FeCl3 or NH4OH respectively.

• A stable sol of stannic oxide is obtained by adding a small amount of dilute HCl to
stannic oxide precipitates.
• Similarly, a colloidal solution of 3 Al(OH ) and AgCl are obtained by treating the
corresponding freshly prepared precipitate with very dilute solution of HCl and AgNO 3
or KCl respectively.
• Gelatin stabilizes the colloidal state of ice-cream.
• Lamp black is peptized by gums to form Indian ink.
• If precipitate of CuS , BaSO4 or Prussian blue are washed continuously with water,
after sometime the precipitate are converted into colloidal state which thus pass
through the fitter paper and thus can be detected in wash water.

Classification of Colloid:
Colloids can be classified according to different properties of the dispersed phase and
medium.

# Firstly, based on the types of particles of the dispersed phase, colloids can be classified as:
(i) Multimolecular Colloids:
When the dissolution of smaller molecules of substance or many atoms takes place, they
combine to form a species whose size is in the range of colloidal size. The species formed is
known as the multimolecular colloid.
Example: The Sulphur solution contains particles which have thousands of S 8.
(ii) Macromolecular Colloids:
In this type of colloid, the macromolecules form a solution with a suitable solvent. The size of
the particles of this macromolecular solution lies in the range of colloidal particle size. Thus,
this solution is also known as the macromolecular colloids. The colloids formed here are
similar to that of the actual solution in many respects and are very stable.
Example: Starch, proteins, enzymes, and cellulose are the naturally occurring macromolecular
colloids whereas polyethene, synthetic rubber, etc. are the synthetic macromolecules.
(iii) Associated Colloids:
Some substances act as a strong electrolyte when they are in low concentrations, but they
react as colloidal sols when they are in high concentration. In higher concentration, particles
aggregate showing colloidal behaviour. These aggregated particles are known as the micelles.
They are also known as the associated colloids. The formation of the micelles occurs above a
particular temperature called the Kraft temperature (Tk) and also above a specific
concentration called the critical micelle concentration. These colloids can be reverted by
diluting it.
Examples: Soaps and synthetic detergents.

# Based on the nature of the interaction between the dispersion medium and the dispersed
phase, colloids can be classified into lyophilic and lyophobic.
Lyophilic:
If the dispersed phase has an affinity for the dispersion medium, the colloid is called a lyophilic
colloid. The words lyo and philic mean ‘liquid’ and ‘loving’ respectively. Thus, even if the
dispersed phase is separated from the dispersion medium, they can readily be reconstituted
by simply mixing them. Moreover, they are difficult to coagulate due to their stable nature.
They are also known as intrinsic colloids. Examples are starch, rubber, protein, etc.
Lyophobic:
If the dispersed phase has little or no affinity for the dispersion medium, the colloid is called
a lyophobic colloid. The words lyo and phobic mean ‘liquid’ and ‘fearing’ respectively. Hence,
they are liquid-hating. They are difficult to prepare because the dispersed phase does not
readily form a colloid with the dispersion medium; they require some special methods. They
are unstable and require stabilising agents for their preservation. They are also known as
extrinsic colloids. Examples are sols of metals like silver and gold, sols of metallic hydroxides,
etc.
General Properties of Colloids:
Physical Properties of Colloids:
1. The nature of the colloidal solution is heterogeneous, i.e. unlike. These solutions dwell
in two different phases:
• Dispersed medium
• Dispersed phase
2. Despite the fact that colloidal dispersions are unlike in description (nature), the
dispersed fragments are not detectable by the human eye. This is due to the
microscopic size of the particles in the solution.
3. The colour of the colloidal dispersion is determined by particles in the solution based
on their size. The wavelengths of light that are absorbed will be longer if the size of
the particle is large.
4. As a result of its size, the colloidal fragments can easily be passed through a traditional
filter paper. However, these particles can be filtered by using membranes such as
animal, cellophane, and ultrafilters.

Electrical Properties of Colloids:

1. Electrical double layer theory: In this theory, the charge is imparted to the particles
by placing ions which are adsorbed preferentially at immovable points which form the
first layer. The second layer consists of diffused mobile ions. The charge present on
both layers is equal. This two-layer arrangement leads to a development of potential
called zeta or Electrokinetic potential. As a result of this potential developed across
the particles, under the influence of an electric field these particles move.
2. Electrophoresis: It is a process in which an electric field is applied to a colloidal
solution which is responsible for the movement of colloidal particles. Depending upon
the accumulation near the electrodes the charge of the particles can be predicted. The
charge of the particles is positive if the particles get collected near a negative
electrode and vice versa.
 3. Electro-osmosis: It is a process in which the dispersing medium of the colloidal
solution is brought under the influence of an electric field and the particles are
arrested.

Optical Properties of Colloids:

Tyndall’s effect is defined as the phenomenon in which light is scattered by the colloidal
particles. The light is absorbed by the particles present in the solution. Once the light is
absorbed a part of the light gets scattered in all directions. The result of scattering exhibits
this effect.

Kinetic Properties of Colloids:

During the observation of the colloidal dispersion under an ultra-microscope, it is clearly seen
that the particles are in a continuous movement in the solution. This random zigzag
movement of the particles in the colloidal solution is called the Brownian effect. This
movement is mainly due to the unique bombardment of the molecules present in the
dispersed medium on the colloidal particles.

Colloidal Electrolytes:
Colloidal Electrolyte is an electrolyte that yields at least one type of ion in the colloidal size
range. If a very small quantity of soap, say sodium oleate, is dissolved in water, the solution
will behave like a solution of electrolyte since the soap is a salt. If the concentration of the
soap is gradually increased a certain critical concentration is reached beyond which the
undissociated molecules and anion of the soap form aggregate and assume colloidal
dimension. These micelles, as they are called, strongly adsorb ions from the solution and
become eclectically charged. Some unabsorbed ions are always left in the solution. The
micelles behave both like a colloid and an electrolyte. They are, therefore, called colloidal
electrolytes. The critical concentration above which the micelles are formed is called the
critical micelle concentration (CMC). This can be determined from either the electrical
conductivity or surface tension measurements of the solutions. Not Only soaps but many
other substances with an ionizable group and a long hydrocarbon chain or similar tail behave
in the same way, Alkyl sulphonates, sulfates etc belong to this class. Several dyes with the
ionizable end, such as congo red, are colloidal electrolytes.
What is Emulsion ?
An emulsion can be defined as a colloid consisting of two or more non-homogenous type of
liquids wherein one of the liquid contains the dispersion of the different form of liquids.

Types of Emulsion:
Emulsions can be classified on the basis of the properties of the dispersed phase and the
dispersion medium.
1) Oil in water (O/W):
In this type of emulsion, the oil will be the dispersed phase and water will be the dispersion
medium. The best example for o/w emulsion is milk. In milk, the fat globules (which act as the
dispersed phase) are suspended in water (which acts as the dispersion medium).
2) Water in oil (w/o):
In this type, water will be the dispersed phase and oil will be the dispersion medium.
Margarine (a spread used for flavouring, baking and working) is an example of water in oil
emulsion.

Properties of Emulsion:
• Emulsions contain both a dispersed phase and a dispersion medium.
• The boundary between the dispersion phase and dispersed medium is called
“interface”.
• They have a cloudy appearance.
• They show various colors depending on the dilution.Such an emulsion appears white
if it scatters the light equally.If it is diluted it will appear blue while if it is concentrated,
then it will appear yellow.
• It shows the Tyndall effect. The particle size of a dispersed phase in emulsions may
vary.
• Generally, emulsions are inherently unstable, exposure to energy and power
ultrasound is needed to form a stable emulsion.
• Emulsion particles form dynamic inhomogeneous structures on a small length scale.
• Both the phases of emulsion may get separated if they are kept undisturbed for a
longer period of time or in absence of an emulsifying agent.
Stability of Emulsion:
Most emulsions are not naturally stable and require careful formulation to create dispersions
with enhanced shelf life. Various theories and instrumental techniques are available to help
formulators choose the optimum chemistry to achieve desired results. This application note
is not a guide to emulsion formulation, but rather an introduction to the analytical techniques
available to guide the study of how to create stable emulsions. An emulsion is a mixture of
two, or more liquids, that are not typically miscible. Most are a two-phase system with a
dispersed phase (smaller volume) and a continuous phase (greater volume). Types of
emulsions include oil in water (o/w), water in oil (w/o), and double emulsions such as a water
in oil in water (w/o/w) emulsion. In an o/w emulsion the dispersed phase is the oil and the
continuous phase is the water. Creating an emulsion typically requires an energy source to
form the emulsion such as shaking, stirring, ultrasound, homogenizer, or microfluidizer. Most
emulsions destabilize over time, sometimes immediately after the energy input has ceased.
Chemicals known as emulsifiers are added to extend the stable period and delay phase
separation. Emulsifiers are typically surfactants containing a hydrophilic head and a
hydrophobic R-C chain. The hydrophobic tail orients towards the organic phase, and the
hydrophilic head orients towards the water. By positioning itself in this orientation at the
interface the emulsifier reduces the surface tension and increases the charge (the zeta
potential) on the droplet surface, resulting in a stabilizing influence on the emulsion. Types of
emulsifiers include food products such as lecithin, sodium phosphates, and surfactants (both
ionic and non-ionic). Viscosity modifiers, such as PEG, can also be added to increase emulsion
stability.

Uses of Colloids:
• A colloid is used as thickening agents in industrial products such as lubricants, lotions,
toothpaste, coatings, etc.
• In the manufacture of paints and inks, colloids are useful. In ball-point pens, the ink
used is a gel (liquid-solid colloid).
• The suspended impurities contained in the natural water are removed by adding
sulfates of aluminium (alum) and of iron which coagulates them.
• Most of the medicines are colloidal. Colloidal gold and calcium are injected into the
human body for the vitality of the muscles. Argyrol (silver sol) is used as an eye lotion.
Albumin, Hetastarch, and Dextran are a few other colloids used in medicine.
Uses of Emulsions:
• Emulsions are widely used in most of the major chemical industries. Pharmaceutical
industries use it to make medicines more palatable and to improve overall
effectiveness by controlling dosage of active ingredients. They are also used to provide
improved aesthetics for topical drugs such as ointments.
• In the agricultural industry, emulsions are commonly used as delivery vehicles for
biocides like fungicides, insecticides and pesticides. These biocides are usually
insoluble in water and must be applied to crops at very low levels. Usually they are
applied by spraying through mechanical equipment. Emulsion technology allows to
dilute these chemicals effectively and provides increased spray ability.
• In the cosmetics industry also, emulsions are used as a delivery vehicle for many hair
and skin conditioning agents. Different types of emulsions are used to deliver various
oils and waxes which provide smoothness, moisturization, and softness to hair and
skin.
• Many paints and inks are based on the concept of emulsions. Such products may be
true liquid-in-liquid emulsions. With the help of emulsification, these products are
designed to dry quickly and form waterproof films, while not affecting the color.