Colloids

Suspensions and colloids are two common types of mixtures whose properties
are in many ways intermediate between those of true solutions and
heterogeneous mixtures. A suspension is a heterogeneous mixture of particles
with diameters of about 1 m (1000 nm) that are distributed throughout a
second phase. Common suspensions include paint, blood, and hot chocolate,
which are solid particles in a liquid, and aerosol sprays, which are liquid
particles in a gas. If the suspension is allowed to stand, the two phases will
separate, which is why paints must be thoroughly stirred or shaken before use.
A colloid is also a heterogeneous mixture, but the particles of a colloid are
typically smaller than those of a suspension, generally in the range of 2 to
about 500 nm in diameter. Colloids include fog and clouds (liquid particles in a
gas), milk (solid particles in a liquid), and butter (solid particles in a solid).
Other colloids are used industrially as catalysts. Unlike in a suspension, the
particles in a colloid do not separate into two phases on standing. The only
combination of substances that cannot produce a suspension or a colloid is a
mixture of two gases because their particles are so small that they always form
true solutions. The properties of suspensions, colloids, and solutions are
summarized in the table. [1]
Properties of Solutions, Colloids, and Suspensions
Type of Mixture
Approximate
Characteristic
Examples
Size of
Properties
Particles (nm)
not filterable; does not
air, white wine,
Solution
<2

Colloid

Suspension

2 500

500 1000

separate on standing;
does not scatter visible
light
scatters visible light;
translucent or opaque;
not filterable; does not
separate on standing
cloudy or opaque;
filterable; separates on
standing

gasoline, salt water

smoke, fog, ink, milk,
butter, cheese
muddy water, hot
cocoa, blood, paint

Colloids are also known as colloidal dispersions because the substances remain
dispersed and do not settle to the bottom of the container. Unlike a solution,
whose solute and solvent constitute only one phase, a colloid has a dispersed
phase and a continuous phase; 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.[2]
Brief History

Colloids were first characterized in about 1860 by Thomas Graham, who also
gave us Grahams law of diffusion and effusion. Although some substances,
such as starch, gelatin, and glue, appear to dissolve in water to produce
solutions, Graham found that they diffuse very slowly or not at all compared
with solutions of substances such as salt and sugar. Graham coined the word
colloid (from the Greek klla, meaning glue) to describe these substances, as

well as the words sol and gel to describe certain types of colloids in which all of
the solvent has been absorbed by the solid particles, thus preventing the
mixture from flowing readily, as we see in Jell-O. Two other important types of
colloids are aerosols, which are dispersions of solid or liquid particles in a gas,
and emulsions, which are dispersions of one liquid in another liquid with which
it is immiscible.[1]
Classification of Colloids

Like solutions, colloids can be gases, liquids, or solids. A common method of

classifying colloids is based on the phase of the dispersed substance and what
phase it is dispersed in [2]. Examples of each are listed on the table below: [3]
Phase of Colloid

Dispersing
(solvent-like)
Substance

Dispersed
(solute-like)
Substance

Gas

Gas

Gas

Gas
Gas
Liquid
Liquid
Liquid
Solid
Solid
Solid

Gas
Gas
Liquid
Liquid
Liquid
Solid
Solid
Solid

Liquid
Solid
Gas
Liquid
Solid
Gas
Liquid
Solid

Colloid type

Example

Aerosol
Aerosol
Foam
Emulsion
Sol
Solid foam
Solid emulsion
Solid sol

None (all are

solutions
Fog
Smoke
Whipped cream
Milk
Paint
Marshmallow
Butter
Ruby glass

Kinds of Colloids
1. Lyophilic Colloids

[4]

Lyophilic colloids are liquid loving colloids (Lyo means solvent and philic
means loving). When these colloids are mixed with the suitable liquid, high
force of attraction exists between colloidal particles and liquid. This result in
formation of very stable solution called lyophilic sol. These sols are formed by
substances like gums, starch and proteins. Lyophilic sol can be easily prepared
by directly mixing colloid with the liquid.
Note: Water loving colloids are called Hydrophilic colloids and colloidal
dispersion formed is called Hydrophilic sol.

2. Lyophobic Colloids

[5]

Lyophobic colloids are liquid hating colloids (Lyo means solvent and phobic
means hating). When these colloids are mixed with the suitable liquid, very
weak force of attraction exists between colloidal particles and liquid and
system does not pass into colloidal state readily. Therefore, lyophobic sols are
difficult to prepare. Special techniques are employed to prepare these sols.
Note: Water hating colloids are called Hydrophobic colloids and colloidal
dispersion formed is called Hydrophobic sol.

Properties of Colloidal Solutions

[6]

All the properties of colloidal solutions can be grouped under three heads:

1. GENERAL PROPERTIES: General properties of colloidal solutions are given in

difference between colloid and true solution.
2. OPTICAL PROPERTIES:
i. Brownian Movement
Robert Brown (1927) an English Botanist, observed that
the pollen grains in aqueous suspensions were in constant
motion. Similar phenomenon was, later on, found in case
of colloidal solution, when observed ultra-microscopically.
This continuous and rapid zig-zag motion of the colloidal
particles is called Brownian movement. This motion is
independent of the nature of the colloidal particles. It is more rapid when
the size of the particles is small and the solution is less viscous.
Importance of Phenomenon
a. Confirmation of Kinetic Theory of Gases: It offers a visible proof of a
rapid random kinetic motion of molecules in liquid as postulated by kinetic
theory of gases.
b. Determination of Avogadros number: With the help of ultramicroscope the number of particles in a given mass of the colloidal solution
can be counted and the Avogadros number being the number of molecules
in one mole of any substance; can be calculated.
c. Stability of Colloidal Solution: The constant rapid zig-zag motion of
the particles prevents them from setting due to gravity and thus helps in
stabilising colloidal solution to some extent.
d. Size of Colloidal Particles: The colloidal particles remain under the
influence of Brownian movement and gravitation force. Thus both these
effects act on colloidal particles and these particles distribute themselves in
a vertical column.
ii. Tyndall Effect
Tyndall (1869) observed that when a strong
beam of light is focused on a colloidal solution
the path of the beam becomes visible and when
viewed through microscope placed at right
angle to the path of light (ultramicroscopically),
the colloidal particles appear as pin points of
light moving against a dark background in a
colloidal solution. This phenomenon is known
as Tyndall effect and the illuminated path is
called Tyndall cone.This phenomenon is not observed in case of true
solution.
Cause of Phenomenon:
This phenomenon is due to scattering of light by colloidal particles. This
scattering of light can be due to simple reflection because the size of the
particles is smaller than wavelength of visible light which are, therefore,
unable to reflect light waves. The colloidal particles become self luminous

due to absorption of light energy which is then scattered from their surface.
The maximum scattered intensity in the plane is at right angle to the path
of the light and thus the path becomes visible when observed from the
sides.
The intensity of scattered light the difference between the refractive indices
of the dispersed phase and that of the medium
In case of lyophobic the difference is more so Tyndall effect is well
observed; while in Lyophilic it is less so Tyndall effect is very poor.
Importance of Phenomenon:
1. This phenomenon has been employed as the basic principle for the
construction of ultra-microscope. It has been used to detect solid
suspended impurities in solution.
2. On the basis of Tyndall effect we can explain that sky is blue in day light.
The reason is that dust particles along with water are in the atmosphere.
These dust particles scatter blue light and other colours are absorbed
therefore the colour of the sky is blue. Since in night scattering of light is
not taking place hence sky is black in night.
3. Tail of comets.
4. Blue colour of sea water.
5. Blue tinge of smoke.
3. ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES:
i. Electrophoresis (or Cataphoresis)
Since the colloidal particles are electrically
charged (+ or -) with respect to the dispersion
medium, hence on passing electric current
through colloidal solution the charged particles
move towards oppositely charged electrodes
and get discharged to give precipitate. So, this
migration of colloidal particles under the
influence
of
electric
field
is
called
electrophoresis.
Applications:
a. Determination of charge: The nature of the charge of a colloidal
particle can be ascertained by its migration in an electric field.
b. Electrodeposition of rubber: The negatively charged particles of
rubber suspended in the latex of rubber plant can be deposited on another
articles making them anode only as a result of electrophoresis.
c. Removal of carbon particles from smoke: The removal of
negatively charged carbon particles from smoke can be done by passing
through a chamber provided with highly positive charged metallic knob.
d. Purification of water: The sewage contains negatively charged
particles suspended in water. They may be removed by coagulating them
on anode as a result of electrophoresis.
ii. Electro-osmosis

When electrophoresis of dispersed particles in a colloidal system is

prevented by some suitable means, the dispersion medium itself begins to
move in an electric field. This phenomenon is known as electro-osmosis.
iii. Coagulation
We know that the stability of the colloidal
solution is due to mutual repulsion between
similarly charged colloidal particles. When the
charge on the colloidal particles is neutralized by
the addition of an electrolyte or oppositely
charged sol, the precipitation takes place. Thus
the process of precipitating a colloidal solution
is known as coagulation or flocculation.
SOURCES:
[1]
http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Textbook_Maps/General_Chemistry_Textbook_Maps/Map
%3A_Chemistry
%3A_The_Central_Science_(Brown_et_al.)/13._Properties_of_Solutions/13.6%3A_Colloids
[2]
http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Core/Physical_Chemistry/Physical_Properties_of_Matter/Solu
tions_and_Mixtures/Colloid
[3]CHEMISTRY: The Central Science 13th Edition by Brown, LeMay & Bursten
[4]http://www.chemistrylearning.com/lyophilic-colloids/
[5]http://www.chemistrylearning.com/lyophobic-colloid/
[6]http://www.sciencehq.com/chemistry/properties-of-colloidal-solution.html