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 1nm to
100nm may be called colloidal aerosols,colloidal
emulsions, colloidal foams, colloidal dispersions
orhydrosols.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 ofa 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 1nm - 0.5nm
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 1nm - 0.5nm
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 orions.
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 mill microns (0.1micron). 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 beaccomplished 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
www.Wikipedia.org
2.NCERT Chemistry Part I
3.www.encarta.com