Lesson-08 Colloids
Lesson-08 Colloids
States of Matter
8
Notes
COLLOIDS
You are familiar with solutions. They play an important role in our life. A large
number of substances such as milk, butter, cheese, cream, coloured gems, boot
polish, rubber, ink also play an important role in our daily life. They are mixtures of
special type. They are colloidal solutions. The term colloid has been derived from
two terms, namely colla and oids. ‘Kolla’ means glue and ‘Oids’ means like i.e.
glue-like. The size of the particles in colloidal solutions is bigger than the size of
particles present in solutions of sugar or salt in water but smaller than the size of
particles in suspensions. In this lesson you will learn about the methods of preparation,
properties and applications of colloidal solutions.
OBJECTIVES
After reading this lesson you will be able to:
z explain the difference between true solution, colloidal solution and suspension;
z identify phases of colloidal solution;
z classify colloidal solutions;
z describe methods of preparation of colloids;
z explain some properties of colloidal solutions;
z explain Hardy Schultz Rule;
z recognise the difference between gel and emulsion;
z cite examples of the application of colloids in daily life; and
z define nano materials and list some of their properties.
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the solution formed depends upon the size of the solute particles. If the size of
the solute particles is less than 1 nm it will form true solution but when the size
is between 1 to 100 nm then it will form colloidal solution. When the size of
solute particles is greater than 100 nm it will form a suspension. Therefore we
may conclude that colloidal solution is an intermediate state between true solution
and suspension (Table 8.1).
Notes Table 8.1: Some important properties of true solutions, colloids
and suspensions
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z Dispersion Medium : It is the medium in which the colloids particles are
dispersed. For example, in a colloidal solution of sulphur in water, sulphur
particles constitute the ‘dispersed phase’ and water is the ‘dispersion medium’.
Each of the two phases namely, dispersed phase and dispersion medium can be
solid, liquid or gas. Thus, different types of colloidal solutions are possible
depending upon the physical state of the two phases. Different types of colloidal
solutions and their examples are shown in Table 8.2. You should note that gases Notes
cannot form a colloidal solution between themselves, because they form
homogenous mixtures.
Table 8.2 : Types of Colloidal Solutions
S.No. Dispersed Dispersion Type of Examples
Phase Medium Colloidal Solution
Out of the various types of colloidal solutions listed above, the most common are
sols (solid in liquid type), gels (liquid in solid type) and emulsions (liquid in
liquid type). If the dispersion medium is water then the ‘sol’ is called a hydrosol;
and if the dispersion medium is alcohol then the ‘sol’ is called an alcosol.
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8.3 CLASSIFICATION OF COLLOIDS
Colloidal solutions can be classified in different ways :
(a) on the basis of interaction between the phases.
(b) on the basis of molecular size.
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(b) Multi molecular colloids – Here individually the atoms are not of colloidal
size but they aggregate to join together forming a molecule of colloidal
dimension. For example sulphur sol contains aggregates of S8 molecules
which fall in colloidal dimension.
(c) Associated colloids – These are substances which behave as normal
electrolyte at low concentration but get associated at higher concentration
to form miscelle and behave as colloidal solution. Soap is an example. Soap Notes
is sodium salt of long chain fatty acid R COONa. When put in water, soap
forms RCOO— and Na+. These RCOO— ions associate themselves around
dirt particles as shown below forming a miscelle (Fig. 8.1).
+
Na
Water COO–
+ +
Na – Na
COO– COO
Miscelle
+
COO– Na
–
COO
Na+
COO– +
COO– Na
Na+ COO
–
Na+
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+ Electrodes –
Dispersion medium
Ice-Bath
Notes
An electric arc is struck between the two metallic electrodes placed in a container
of water. The intense heat of the arc converts the metal into vapours, which are
condensed immediately in the cold water bath. This results in the formation of
particles of colloidal size. We call it as metal sol. e.g. gold sol.
Peptisation : Peptisation is the process of converting a freshly prepared precipitate
into colloidal form by the addition of a suitable electrolyte. The electrolyte is
called peptising agent. For example when ferric chloride is added to a precipitate
of ferric hydroxide, ferric hydroxide gets converted into reddish brown coloured
colloidal solution. This is due to preferential adsorption of cations of the electrolyte
by the precipitate. When FeCl3 is added to Fe(OH)3, Fe3+ ions from FeCl3 are
adsorbed by Fe(OH)3 particles. Thus the Fe(OH)3 particles acquire + ve charge
and they start repelling each other forming a colloidal solution.
(ii) Chemical Methods : By oxidation
Sulphur sol is obtained by bubbling H2S gas through the solution of an oxidizing
agent like HNO3 or Br2 water, etc. according to the following equation :
Br2 + H2S → S + 2 HBr
2 HNO3 + H2S → 2 H2O + 2 NO2 + S
Fe(OH)3 sol, As2 S3 sol can also be prepared by chemical methods.
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electrolyte can. The colloidal solution is taken in a bag of cellophane which is
suspended in a tub full of fresh water. The impurities diffuse out leaving pure
coloidal solution in the bag (Fig. 8.3). This process of separating the particles of
colloids from impurities by means of diffusion through a suitable membrane is
called dialysis.
Notes
Water
Dialysis
Bag
Electrodialysis : The dialysis process is slow and to speed up its rate, it is carried
out in the presence of an electrical field. When the electric field is applied through
the electrodes, the ions of the electrolyte present as impurity diffuse towards
oppositely charged electrodes at a fast rate. The dialysis carried out in the presence
of electric field is known as electrodialysis (Fig. 8.4).
– +
Addition of
Impure sol Water
Funnel
Electrodes
Colloid
Crystalloid
Solution of Crystalloid
in water
Cellophane bag or
Parchment paper bag
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The most important use of dialysis is the purification of blood in the artificial
kidney machine. The dialysis membrane allows the small particles (ions etc.) to
pass through, whereas large size particles like haemoglobin do not pass through
the membrane.
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c) Tyndall Effect : Tyndall in 1869, observed that if a strong beam of light is
passed through a colloidal solution then the path of light is illuminated. This
phenomenon is called Tyndall Effect. This phenomenon is due to scattering
of light by colloidal particles (fig.8.6). The same effect is noticed when a
beam of light enters a dark room through a slit and becomes visible. This
happens due to the scattering of light by particles of dust in the air.
+ –
Notes
Electrode
Coagulated sol
particles
As2S3 sol
(negatively charged)
+ –
Electrode
Coagulated sol
particles
As2S3 sol
(negatively charged)
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(a) Preferential adsorption of cations or anions by colloidal particles.
(b) Miscelles carry a charge on them due to dissociation.
(c) During the formation of colloids especially by Bredig arc method,
colloidal particles capture electrons and get charged. The existence
of charge on a colloidal particle is shown by a process called
electrophoresis.
Notes
Electrophoresis is a process which involves the movement of colloidal
particles either towards cathode or anode under the influence of
electrical field. The apparatns used is as shown in Fig 8.7.
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It has been observed that, generally, the greater the valence of the
flocculating ion added, the greater is its power to cause precipitation.
This is known as Hardy-Schulze rule. In the coagulation of a negative
sol, the flocculating power is in the order:
Al3+>Ba2+>Na+
Similarly, in the coagulation of a positive sol, the flocculating power is in Notes
the order:
[Fe(CN)6]4– > PO43– > SO42– > Cl–
The minimum concentration of an electrolyte in millimoles per litre required
to cause precipitation of a sol in two hours is called coagulating value. The
smaller the quantity needed, the higher will be the coagulating power of
an ion.
Protection of colloids
Lyophilic sols are more stable than lyophobic sols. This is due to the fact that
lyophilic colloids are extensively solvated, i.e., colloidal particles are covered
by a sheath of the liquid in which they are dispersed.
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the colloidal particles move to the oppositely charged electrode and get
precipitated there. Hence sewage water is purified.
(ii) Purification of Water in Wells : When alum is added to muddy water, the
negatively charged particles of the colloid are neutralized by Al3+ ions. Hence
the mud particles settle down and the water can be filtered and used.
Notes
High voltage electrode
(30000 volts or more)
Smoke
Precipitated carbon.
X X XX X X X X XXX X X X
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(iv) Blue Colour of Sky : Have you ever wondered why is the sky blue? It is
because the colloidal dust particles floating about in the sky scatter blue
light, that makes the sky appear blue. In the absence of these colloidal particles
the sky would have appeared dark throughout.
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Gels - Gels are the type of colloids in which the dispersed phase is a liquid and the
dispersion medium is a solid. Cheese, jelly, boot polish are common examples of
gel. Most of the commonly used gels are hydrophilic colloidal solution in which
a dilute solution, under suitable conditions set as elastic semi solid masses. For
example 5% aqueous solution of gelatin in water on cooling forms the jelly block.
Gels may shrink on keeping by loosing some of the liquid held by them. This is
Notes known as syneresis or resetting on standing.
Gels are divided in two categories elastic gels and non elastic gels. Elastic gels
are reversible. When partly dehydrated on loosing water, they change back into
the original form on addition of water. The non elastic gels are not reversible.
Gels are useful in many ways. Silica, cheese, jelly, boot polish, curd are commonly
used gels. Solidified alcohol fuel is a gel of alcohol in calcium acetate.
(i) Fullerenes
Fullerenes are allotropes of carbon which are hollow carbon spheres consisting
of large number of carbon atoms bonded chemically like C60.
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Properties
Nanomaterials are available in great variety and the range of their properties
and possible applications is enormous.
(i) They are used for making miniature batteries, super absorbents, extremely
tiny electronic devices, parts of automobiles and as packaging films.
(ii) Nanocapsules and nanodevices present new possibilities for drug delivery,
Notes
gene therapy, and medical diagnostics.
(iii) Nanocomposites are obtained by mixing a small quantity of nano material
to polymers. For example, adding such small amounts as 2% by volume
of silicate nanoparticles to a polyimide resin increases the latter’s strength
by 100%. Addition of nanoparticles not only improves the mechanical
properties, but has also been shown to improve thermal stability.
(iv) Nano materials generally have high plasticity.
(v) Due to their large surface, nanoparticles made of transition element oxides
exhibit catalytic properties
(vi) Magnetic nanoparticles show super paramagnetism and have lead to the
discovery of a new class of permanent magnetic materials.
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TERMINAL EXERCISE
1. List three differences between a true solution and a colloidal solution.
2. Describe one method of preparation of
(a) a lyophilic colloid (b) a lyophobic colloid
Notes
3. What are associated colloids?
4. What is Brownian motion? How does it originate?
5. Why bleeding from a fresh cut stops on applying alum?
6. Two beakers A and B contain ferric hydroxide sol and NaCl solution
respectively. When a beam of light is allowed to converge on them, (in a
darkened room), beam of light is visible in beaker A but not in breaker B.
Give the reason. What is this effect called?
7. Define the following terms and give two examples of each
(i) Gel (ii) Sol
8. Describe two important applications of colloidal solutions.
9. Give two examples of emulsions used in daily life.
10. Explain the role of emulsifier in an emulsion?
11. What are nano materials? Give their three applications.
8.1
1. Suspension – Clay in water, Sand in water
Colloidal – Milk, Blood, Boot polish, Face Cream, Jelly, Foam.
True Solution – Sugar in water
2. Sol – Starch in water
Gel – Silica gel
Aerosol – Fog
Emulsion – Milk
3. Alcosol – When alcohol is the dispersion medium.
Hydrosol – When water is the dispersion medium.
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4. True solution Colloidal solution
1. Size of solute in less than 1 nm. 1. Particle size (1–100) nm.
2. Form transparent solution and 2. Path of light becomes visible.
allows light to pass through them.
8.2
1. Gold sol, Platinum sol Notes
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