Colloids

Purification
 Purification

i. Dialysis and Electro dialysis

ii. ii. Ultracentrifugation and Ultra centrifugation
 Dialysis
• Definition: Dialysis is the process of separating colloidal
particles from crystalloids using a suitable membrane

• When a solution containing a mixture of particles ,

smaller crystalloids and bigger colloids, is suspended in
water / any other suitable solvent , the crystalloids diffuse
through the membrane leaving behind the colloidal
particles

• The solvent has to be frequently changed to avoid reverse

follow of crystalloids.
 Dialyser Working
• A cellophane bag ( permeable membrane) is filled with the
impure colloidal solution and immersed in water

• The smaller size particles ( crystalloids) diffuse through the

membrane

• The water is frequently replaced in order to ensure the

movement in only one direction as accumulation of crystalloids
will increase the concentration leading to back flow ( as per
osmosis)

• It is a very slow process

• If the crystalloid is ionic , the
process is continued till the
conductivity of the solvent
remains constant ( means no
more ions come out)
 Electro dialysis
• Dialysis under the influence of
applied emf is called electro
dialysis.

• This method is fast and more

efficient

• This method is versatile as we can

use ion selective membranes also

• The most important application of

dialysis is purification of blood
for reducing the stress on kidneys
during surgery and as a therapy
for patients afflicted by kidney
dysfunction
 Ultra Filtration
• The mechanism of filtration process depends on two properties
namely volume and surface adsorption

• By volume filtration the particles are caught in the bulk of the

filter paper.

• By surface filtration the particles are caught on the surface of

the filter paper .

• Filter paper is mostly used because even a small piece of filter

paper will absorb a significant volume of liquid
• The pores size of ordinary filter paper is grater than 1000
micro meters while that of Whatmann filter papers range from
1 micro meter to 1000 micrometers

• The size of colloidal particles varies form 1 to 1000 nm which

is smaller compared to the pores of Whatmann filter paper.

• Therefore colloids cannot be separated from crystalloids using

usual filter paper ( both will pass through the pore)

• Special type of filter paper with smaller pores are required to

separate crystalloids and colloids.
 Ultra Filter paper

• The special filter paper is called Ultra Filter and the process of
separating colloids using ultra filter paper is called Ultra
Filtration Process(UFP)

• Ultra filter papers are prepared by impregnating Whatmann

filter paper with gelatine followed by hardening with
formaldehyde
 UFP

• This process is similar to reverse osmosis

• The Ultra filter paper is usually fixed to a mesh support

(tubular modules / hollow fibre / Spiral wound modules / Plate
frame)and placed inside a PVC case

• The impure colloid is poured through the inlet at the top

• The filtrate ( also called permeate) takes the crystalloids

leaving behind the pure colloidal solution as retentate
 UFP

• This process is very slow. Pressure is applied at the top or

suction is applied to the outlet to draw the true solution fast
• By carrying out series of ultra filtration , colloidal particles of
varying sizes can also be separated from each other
Ultra Filters in Industry
 Centrifugation
Centrifugation is the process of employing centrifugal force
to separate a solid from a solution
 Ultra Centrifugation

• Ultracentrifugation is used
to separate colloidal
particles from true solution

• The equipment used is ultra

centrifuge which is designed
for extremely high speed
rotation
 Ultra Centrifugation Process
• When a solution containing colloidal and crystalloid is
subjected to ultra centrifugation, the bigger colloidal
particles settles leaving the smaller crystalloids in solution

• The solution containing crystalloids can be decanted and

the residue containing colloidal particles can be centrifuged
again

• By carrying out series of ultra centrifugation , colloidal

particles of varying sizes can also be separated from each
other
Separation of colloids

Crystalloids

• Colloids of different size