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of colloids
Protection :
when certain hydrophilic colloids such as gum, gelatin, agar‐agar etc. are added to a
hydrophobic colloid, the stability of the latter is markedly increased. Now the addition of
the small amounts of electrolytes does not cause the precipitation of the hydrophobic
colloid. This action of the hydrophilic colloids to prevent precipitation of the hydrophobic
colloid by the electrolytes is called protection and the hydrophilic colloid is called protective
colloid.
It is further observed that the protective colloid not only increase the stability of the
hydrophobic colloid but the latter can be evaporated to dryness and the dry mass peptised
by simply shaking with water. Thus the protective colloid converts an irreversible
(hydrophobic) colloid into a reversible colloid.
Explanation :
The particles of the protected colloid get adsorbed on the
particles of the hydrophobic colloid, thereby forming a
protective layer around it. The protective layer
prevents the precipitating ions from coming in contact Protected Particles
with the colloidal particles. According to a recent view
the increase in stability of the hydrophobic and colloid
Protected Particles
is due to the mutual adsorption of the hydrophilic and Formation of protective colloids
hydrophobic colloids. It is immaterial which is adsorbed
on which. In fact the smaller particles whether of the
protective colloid or of the hydrophobic colloid are
adsorbed on the bigger particles.
Some examples of protective colloids are :
(i) Soluble substance like Ca3(PO4)2 are held as colloids in blood due to protective action of
protein in blood.
(ii) To prevent clogging in pens ; superior pen inks contain some protective colloids.
Gold Number :
The power of the hydrophilic colloid to prevent the precipitation of a lyophobic colloid by
addition of an electrolyte depends upon the nature of the substance. The protective
character of various hydrophilic substances can be expressed quantitatively by gold
number. The gold number ,according to Zsigmondy , may be defined as :
"The number of milligrams of the protective colloid which must be added to 10 c.c. of a
given gold sol so as to just prevent its precipitation by addition of 1 ml of 10% NaCl
solution."
Smaller the gold number, higher the protective power of a colloid. Gold numbers of some
protective colloids are given below:
Protective colloid Gold number
Haemoglobin 0.03 to 0.07
Starch 15 to 25
Gum Arabic 15 to 25
Gelatin 0.005 to 0.1
The protective power was also measured by Ostwald in terms of Congo Robin number. It is the
amount of a protective colloid in mg which prevents colour change in 100 ml. of 0.01% cango
robin dye solution to which 0.16 gm equivalent of KCl is added when observed after 10‐15
minutes.
Uses of Colloids :
(1) Medicines : The medicines containing gold, silver or calcium etc. in colloidal form are more
effective and easily assimilated by the human systems.
(2) Smoke screens : Smoke screens which consist of titanium dioxide dispersed in air are used
in warfare for the purpose of concealment and camouflage.
(3) Formation of delta :The river waver carries with it charged clay particles and many other
substances in the form of colloidal solution. When the sea water comes in contact with these
particles, the colloidal particles in river water are coagulated by the electrolytes present in sea
water to form deltas.
(4) Purification of water : The turbidity in water is due to the presence of negatively charged
clay particles. The addition of potash alum, i.e., Al3 ions neutralizes the negative charge on the
colloidal particles and thus causes their coagulation. The coagulated matter settles down and
thus becomes clear.
(5) Artificial rain :Artificial rain can be caused by throwing electrified sand on clouds which are
colloidal solutions or charged particles of water in air.
(6) Smoke precipitation : Smoke
coming out of the chimney in
industrial area is a nuisance and
health hazard. It is a colloidal.
Particles are charged particles and
thus they are removed from fuel
gases by electrical precipitation
(Cottrell Precipitator).
In cottrell precipitator, the smoke
is made to pass through chambers
fitted with highly electrically
charged plates which precipitate
the carbon and dust particles
leaving in the gases to escape
through chimney
(7) Sewage disposal : Sewage water consists of particles of dirt, rubbish, mud, etc., which are
of colloidal dimensions and carry an electric charge and thus do not settle down easily. These
particles can thus be removed by cataphoresis. A system f two tanks fitted with metallic
electrodes is used for this purpose.
When electric field is created, then the dust particles are coagulated on the oppositely charged
electrodes. The deposit maybe utilized as a manure.