Colloids

A colloid is one of the three primary types of mixtures, with the other two being
a solution and suspension. A colloid are solutions that has particles ranging between 1
and 1000 nanometers in diameter, yet are still able to remain evenly distributed
throughout the solution. These are also known as colloidal dispersions because the
substances remain dispersed and do not settle to the bottom of the container. In
colloids, one substance is evenly dispersed in another. The substance being dispersed
is referred to as being in the dispersed phase, while the substance in which it is
dispersed is in the continuous phase.
Properties of Colloids
To be classified as a colloid, the substance in the dispersed phase must be larger than
the size of a molecule but smaller than what can be seen with the naked eye. This can
be more precisely quantified as one or more of the substance's dimensions must be
between 1 and 1000 nanometers. If the dimensions are smaller than this the substance
is considered a solution and if they are larger than the substance is a suspension.

Classifying Colloids
A common method of classifying colloids is based on the phase of the dispersed
substance and what phase it is dispersed in.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Sol is a colloidal suspension with solid particles in a liquid.

Emulsion is between two liquids.
Foam is formed when many gas particles are trapped in a liquid or solid.
Aerosol contains small particles of liquid or solid dispersed in a gas.
When the dispersion medium is water, the colloidal system is often referred to as a
hydrocolloid. The particles in the dispersed phase can take place in different phases
depending on how much water is available.

Dispersion Medium

Dispersed Phase

Type of Colloid

Example

Solid

Solid

Solid sol

Ruby glass

Solid

Liquid

Solid emulsion/gel

Pearl, cheese

Solid

Gas

Solid foam

Lava, pumice

Liquid

Solid

Sol

Paints, cell fluids

Liquid

Liquid

Emulsion

Milk, oil in water

Liquid

Gas

Foam

Soap suds, whipped cream

Gas

Solid

Aerosol

Smoke

Dispersion Medium

Dispersed Phase

Type of Colloid

Example

Gas

Liquid

Aerosol

Fog, mist

Classification Based on the Nature of Interaction Between Dispersed Phase

and Dispersion Medium
Colloidal systems, depending on the nature of attraction between the dispersed
phase and the dispersion medium are classified into lyophobic (solvent hating) and
lyophilic (solvent loving). If water is the dispersion phase is water, then the colloids are
either hydrophilic or hydrophobic.
1) Lyophilic colloids
In this type of colloids sols, the dispersed phase has great attraction for the
dispersion medium. In such colloids, the dispersed phase does not precipitate easily
and the sols are quite stable. If the dispersion medium is separated from the dispersed
phase, the sol can be reconstituted by simply remixing with the dispersion medium.
2) Lyophobic colloids
In this type of colloidal sols, the dispersed phase has little affinity for the
dispersion medium. These colloids are easily precipitated on the addition of small
amounts of electrolytes, by heating or by shaking and therefore are not stable. Once
precipitated, it is not easy to reconstitute the sol by simple mixing with the dispersion
medium.
Classification of Colloids Based on Type of Particles of the Dispersed Phase
1. Multimolecular colloids
In this type of colloids the colloidal particles are aggregates of atoms or small
molecules with molecular size less than one nanometer (1 nm). For e.g., gold sol
consists of particles of various sizes which are clusters of several gold atoms. Similarly,
sulphur sol consists of colloidal particles which are aggregates of S8 molecules. The
molecules in the aggregates are held together by Van der Waal forces.
2. Macromolecular colloids
Macromolecular colloidal particles are formed when on dissolution in a suitable
solvent; the macromolecules have sizes which are in the colloidal range. Naturally
occurring macromolecules are starch, proteins and cellulose. Man-made
macromolecules are polymers such as polyethylene, nylon and polystyrene. These
colloids are quite stable and resemble true solutions in many respects.
3. Associated colloids (Micelles)
Certain substances behave as strong electrolytes at low concentration but at
higher concentrations these substances exhibit colloidal characteristics due to the

formation of aggregated particles. These aggregated particles are called micelles.

Micelles are called associated colloids.

Tyndall Effect
The Tyndall Effect is the effect of light scattering in colloidal dispersion, while
showing no light in a true solution. This effect is used to determine whether a mixture is
a true solution or a colloid.
The Tyndall effect is an easy way of determining whether a mixture is colloidal or
not. When light is shined through a true solution, the light passes cleanly through the
solution, however when light is passed through a colloidal solution, the substance in the
dispersed phases scatters the light in all directions, making it readily seen.

Brownian motion
Brownian motion or pedesis is the random motion of particles suspended in a
fluid (a liquid or a gas) resulting from their collision with the quick atoms or molecules in
the gas or liquid. Wiener Process refers to the mathematical model used to describe
such Brownian Motion, which is often called a particle theory.
Brownian motion is among the simplest of the continuous-time stochastic
processes, and it is a limit of both simpler and more complicated stochastic processes.
This universality is closely related to the universality of the normal distribution. In both
cases, it is often mathematical convenience, rather than the accuracy of the models,
that motivates their use.
Colligative properties
In chemistry, colligative properties are properties of solutions that depend upon
the ratio of the number of solute particles to the number of solvent molecules in a
solution, and not on the type of chemical species present.
Colligative properties include:
1. Relative lowering of vapor pressure
The vapor pressure of a liquid is the pressure of the vapor which is in equilibrium
with that liquid. The vapor pressure of a solvent is lowered when a non-volatile solute is
dissolved in it to form a solution.
2. Boiling point and freezing point
Addition of solute to form a solution stabilizes the solvent in the liquid phase, and
lowers the solvent chemical potential so that solvent molecules have less tendency to
move to the gas or solid phases.

3. Boiling point elevation (ebullioscopy)

The boiling point of a liquid at a given external pressure is the temperature at
which the vapor pressure of the liquid equals the external pressure. The normal boiling
point is the boiling point at a pressure equal to 1 atmosphere.
4. Freezing point depression (cryoscopy)
The freezing point (T_{\rm f}) of a pure solvent is lowered by the addition of a
solute which is insoluble in the solid solvent, and the measurement of this difference is
called cryoscopy.
5. Osmotic pressure
The osmotic pressure of a solution is the difference in pressure between the
solution and the pure liquid solvent when the two are in equilibrium across a
semipermeable membrane, which allows the passage of solvent molecules but not of
solute particles. If the two phases are at the same initial pressure, there is a net transfer
of solvent across the membrane into the solution known as osmosis. The process stops
and equilibrium is attained when the pressure difference equals the osmotic pressure.
Electrophoresis
Electrophoresis is a separations technique that is based on the the mobility of
ions in an electric field. Positively charged ions migrate towards a negative electrode
and negatively-charged ions migrate toward a positive electrode.For safety reasons one
electrode is usually at ground and the other is biased positively or negatively. Ions have
different migration rates depending on their total charge, size, and shape, and can
therefore be separated. Instrumentation An electrode apparatus consists of a highvoltage supply, electrodes, buffer, and a support for the buffer such as filter paper,
cellulose acetate strips, polyacrylamide gel, or a capillary tube. Open capillary tubes are
used for many types of samples and the other supports are usually used for biological
samples such as protein mixtures or DNA fragments. After a separation is completed
the
support
is
stained
to
visualize
the
separated
components.
Electro-osmosis
The process by which charged particles will tend to migrate toward a less
charged area. Generally, when we think of this, we think of an electrolysis process
where cations move in one direction, anions move in the other, and the net movement
over the sample is zero. However, commonly there are areas of higher charge density,
and the electroosmotic effect can greatly affect the behaviour of the liquid.

Sources:
http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Core/Physical_Chemistry/Physical_Properties_of_M
atter/Solutions_and_Mixtures/Colloid

http://www.tutorvista.com/content/chemistry/chemistry-iv/surfacechemistry/colloids-types.php
http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Core/Physical_Chemistry/Physical_Properties_of_M
atter/Solutions_and_Mixtures/Colloid/Tyndall_Effect
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brownian_motion
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colligative_properties
http://www.chemicool.com/definition/electrophoresis.html
http://www.chemicool.com/definition/electroosmosis.html
School of Engineering and Architecture
Chemistry
Saint Louis University

Colloidal Solutions

Submitted By:

Signature:

PEDEGLORIO, Justine S.

______________________

Grp No. 8
7:30-10:30 W
Feb. 17, 2016

Engr. Lilibeth R. Ramos

Score: