Colloids and Its Properties

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
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) Lyophilic 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.

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Index

A colloid or colloidal dispersion is a type of homogenous mixture. A

b) Lyophobic colloids / Hydrophobic colloids:

Stabilization of Colloidal Dispersion :

Destabilization of Colloidal Dispersion:

Properties of Colloidal Solutions

(vi) Rubber Industry:

(vi) Industrial purposes:

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