Md.

Abdul Bari
Associate
professor
Department of
Chemistry
( Guest Teacher)
KUET
Mob: 01712556196
 Ch-1111 Chemistry

Department of Industrial Engineering

and Management (IEM)

First Year First Term

 Lesson Plan
Weak Class Topics to be Discussed Reference Book
Introduction to Colloids, Different 1. Essential Physical
types of Colloidal system, Lyophilic Chemistry by Arun Bhal,
and Lyophobic sols; B.S. Bhal, G.D. Tuli
Preparation of Colloids; Dialysis, 2. Physical Chemistry by
Electro dialysis, Ultra filtration, N. Kundu, S.K Jain
Electrophoresis, electroosmosis; 3. A Text Book of Physical
Tyndel effect, Brownian motion, Chemistry by K K Sharma,
3-4 6 Electrical properties of Sols, S. K Sharma
Electric double layer and zeta 4. Advanced Physical
potential; Chemistry by
Micelles, Application of Colloids. Prof. Dr. Md. Monimul Huque
& Anika Auni
5. Phesical Chemistry-3
by Prof. S.M. Ebadul Haque
 Sylabus
The Colloids
 Introduction to Colloids, Different types of
Colloidal system, Lyophilic and Lyophobic sols;
 Preparation of Colloids; Dialysis, Electro dialysis,
Ultra filtration, Electrophoresis, electroosmosis;
 Tyndel effect, Brownian motion, Electrical
properties of Sols, Electric double layer and zeta
potential;
 Micelles, Application of Colloids.
 Colloids are important to study

Environmental role: Colloids move nutrients and pollutants in the

environment, such as phosphate in soil and surface waters.
Medicine: Colloidal medicines are more effective because they are
easily absorbed by the body. Colloids are also used in
pharmaceutical formulations like suspensions, emulsions, gels, and
ointments.
Industrial applications: Colloids are used in the paint industry to
disperse insoluble materials like metallic gold and fats.
Other applications:
Colloids are used in sewage disposal, water purification, and
photography.
 Learning outcomes of colloids course
 Define and differentiate between colloids,
suspensions, and solutions based on particle
size.
 Describe the different types of colloidal systems
(emulsions, sols, gels, foams) and their
characteristics.
 Understand the concepts of adsorption and its
significance in colloidal stability.
 Explain the electrical double layer and its
impact on colloidal stability.
 Introduction to Colloids
 Colloids, also known as colloidal solutions or
colloidal systems, are mixtures in which
microscopically dispersed insoluble particles of
one substance are suspended in another
substance.
 The size of the suspended particles in a colloid
can range from 1 to 1000 nanometers (10-9 metres).
 In such mixtures, the substance that is dispersed is
referred to as the dispersed phase, whereas the
substance through which it is dispersed is called
the continuous phase.
Colloid Particle Size
 Colloids Definition
 we can define colloids as a mixture where one
of the substances is split into very minute
particles which are dispersed throughout a
second substance.
 The minute particles are known as colloidal
particles.
 Alternatively, we can also say that colloids are
basically solutions in which solute particle size
ranges from 1nm – 1000 nm.
 Colloids are also called coarse mixture.
 Difference between True solution, Colloidal solution & suspension
Property True Solution Colloidal Solutions Suspension
Size of the particles < 1nm 1– 1000nm >1000nm
Nature Homogeneous Heterogeneous Heterogeneous
Particles of true
Colloidal particles Suspension particles
Filterability(Diffusion Solution diffuse
pass through filter do not pass through
through parchment rapidly through filter
paper but not through filter paper and
paper) paper as well as
parchment paper. parchment paper.
parchment paper.
Colloidal particles are
Particles of True not seen to naked eye Suspension particles
Visibility Solution are not but can be studied are big enough to be
visible to naked eye. through ultra seen by naked eye.
microscope.
True Solution does Suspension may or
Colloids shows
Tyndall effect not show Tyndall may not show Tyndall
Tyndall effect.
effect. effect.
Appearance Transparent Translucent Opaque
Difference between Crystaloid and Colloids
 Different types of Colloidal system
Based on the Nature of Interaction Between
Dispersed Phase and Dispersion Medium
Lyophilic colloids: These are water-loving colloids.
The Colloid particles are attracted to the water.
They are also known as reversible sols. Examples
include Agar, gelatin, pectin, etc
Lyophobic colloids: These are the opposite in
nature to Lyophilic colloids. The colloid particles are
repelled by water. They are also called irreversible
sols. Examples include Gold sols, clay particles, etc
Different types of Colloidal system
 Difference Between Lyophilic and Lyophobic sols
Lyophobic Sols Lyophilic sols
1. These are relatively unstable and 1. These are quite stable and are
are prepared with difficulty. prepared with easily.
2. Addition of small amount of 2. Addition of small amount of
electrolyte causes coagulation. electrolyte causes no coagulation.
3. These are irreversible sols. Once 3. These are reversible sols. After
coagulated cannot be re-dispersed. coagulation Coloid patrticles can be
re-dispersed.
4. The dispersed particle are not 4. The dispersed particle are highly
usually solvated. solvated.
5. Surface tension of colloidal System 5. Surface tension of colloidal System
is almost same as that of its is usualy less than that of its
dispersion medium. dispersion medium.
 Continue------------------
Lyophobic Sols Lyophilic sols
6. Viscosity of colloidal System is 6. Viscosity of colloidal System is
almost same as that of its dispersion often found higher than that of its
medium. dispersion medium.
7. Disperse particle are easily 7. The Individual Disperse particle
detected under microscope. are not easily detected under
ultra-microscope.
8. The particles carry definite positive 8. The charge of the particles vary
or negative charge. with the PH of medium.
9. The particles of lyophobic sols are 9. Because of small size particles of
large enough to scatter light i.e., to lyophilic sols do not scatter light.
show Tyndall effect. i.e., do not show Tyndall effect.
 Different types of Colloidal system
Based on their electrical charge, colloids can be classified into positively
charged colloids (where the dispersed phase carries a positive charge) and
negatively charged colloids (where the dispersed phase carries a negative
charge); examples include:
 Positive colloids:
o Ferric hydroxide sol (Fe(OH)3) in water
 Negative colloids:
o Arsenic trisulfide sol (As2S3) in water
Neutral Colloids: A colloid is electrically neutral because the particles of
the colloid are charged, but the dispersion medium has an equal and
opposite charge.
Some examples of natural colloids include: whole blood, plasma, and
albumin.
Positive and Negative Colloid
Neutral Colloid
 Different types of Colloidal system
Colloids can be classified according to different properties of the
dispersed phase and medium.
1. Multimolecular colloids
2. Macromolecular colloids
3. Associated colloids
1. Multimolecular Colloids
When the dissolution of smaller molecules of substance or many
atoms takes place, they combine to form a species whose size is in
the range of colloidal size. The species formed is known as the
multimolecular colloid.
For example, the Sulphur solution contains particles which have
thousands of S8.
Multimolecular Colloids
 Different types of Colloidal system
2. Macromolecular Colloids
In this type of colloid, the macromolecules form a solution
with a suitable solvent. The size of the particles of this
macromolecular solution lies in the range of colloidal
particle size. Thus, this solution is also known as the
macromolecular colloids.
Example: Starch, proteins, enzymes, and cellulose are the
naturally occurring macromolecular colloids whereas
polyethene, synthetic rubber, etc. are the synthetic
macromolecules.
 Different types of Colloidal system
3. Associated Colloids
Some substances act as a strong electrolyte when they
are in low concentrations, but they react as colloidal
sols when they are in high concentration. In higher
concentration, particles aggregate showing colloidal
behaviour. These aggregated particles are known as
the micelles. They are also known as the associated
colloids.
Examples of some associated colloids are soaps
and Synthetic Detergent.
Associated Colloids
 Different types of Colloidal system
Depending upon the state of dispersed particles and the
dispersion medium, the following system of Classification of
colloids can be employed.
1] When the Dispersion Medium is Liquid
 Foams – When the dispersed Phase is gas. Examples
include whipped cream, shaving cream, etc
 Emulsions – When the dispersed phase is liquid.
Examples include milk etc
 Sol – When the dispersed phase is solid. Examples
include blood, pigmented ink, gold sol etc
2] When the Dispersion Medium is Gaseous
 Liquid Aerosol – When the dispersed phase is liquid.
Examples include fog, hair sprays, etc.
 Solid Aerosol – When the dispersed phase is solid.
Examples include smoke, ice cloud, etc.
3] When the Dispersion Medium is Solid
 Solid Foam – When the dispersed phase is gas.
Examples include styrofoam, Pt/H2 etc
 Gel – When the dispersed phase is liquid.
Examples include agar jelly, gelatin, etc
 Solid Sol – When the dispersed phase is solid.
Examples include cranberry glass, Metal alloy etc
 Preparation of Colloids
1. Chemical methods
a) By oxidation:
Colloidal sulphur can be obtained by passing oxygen gas
through a solution of hydrogen sulphides.
2H2S + O2 → 2H2O + 2S (Sulphur sol)
b) By double decomposition:
A solution of arsenic sulphide is obtained by double
decomposition. In this process, hydrogen sulphide is passed
through a cold solution of arsenious oxide.
As2O3 + 3H2S → As2S3 Arsenic sulphide (sol) + 3H2O
 Preparation of Colloids
c) By reduction
A number of metals such as gold, silver, and platinum are obtained
in a colloidal state by reacting the aqueous solution of these salts
with suitable reducing agents such as formaldehyde,
phenylhydrazine, hydrogen peroxide, stannous chloride, etc.
2AuCl3 + 3SnCl2 → 3SnCl4 + 2Au (gold sol; purple colour)
2AuCl3 + 3HCHO + 3H2O → 2Au + 3HCOOH + 6HCl
d) By hydrolysis
Many salt solutions are rapidly hydrolysed by boiling a dilute
solution of their salts. For example, ferric hydroxide and aluminium
hydroxide sols are obtained by boiling solutions of the
corresponding chloride.
 Preparation of Colloids
Dispersion Methods:
In these methods, large particles of a substance
(suspension) are broken into smaller particles. The
following methods are employed.
a) Mechanical dispersion
In this method, the substance is first grounded to coarse
particles. It is then mixed with a dispersion medium to get a
suspension. The suspension is then ground in a colloidal
mill. It consists of two metallic dyes nearly touching each
other and rotating in the opposite direction at a very high
speed, 7000 revolutions per minute.
 Continue------------------

The space between the dyes of the mill is so adjusted

that coarse suspension to great shearing force gives
rise to particles of colloidal size. Colloidal solutions of
black ink, paints, varnishes, and dyes are obtained by
this method.
 Preparation of Colloids
b) Peptization:
The process of converting a freshly prepared precipitate into a
colloidal solution is known as peptization. In this method, the
electrolyte is added in smaller amounts, which is known as a
peptization agent or peptizing agent. The cause of peptization is
the adsorption of the ions of the electrolyte by the particles of the
precipitate. Important peptizing agents are sugar, gem, gelatin and
electrolyte.
Examples
1. Freshly prepared ferric hydroxide can be converted into the
colloidal state by shaking it with water containing Fe3+ or OH– ions,
i.e. FeCl3 or NH4OH, respectively.
Peptization:
 Preparation of Colloids
c) Electrical Dispersion
This method is used to prepare sols of platinum, silver, copper or gold.
The metal whose sol is to be prepared is made as two-electrode,
which is immersed in a dispersion medium such as water etc.

The dispersion medium is kept cool by ice. An electric arc is placed

between the electrodes. Tremendous heat is generated, and colloidal
solute is obtained. Electrolytes are used in this process for
stabilization and cooling.
 Purification of Colloids
1) Dialysis
The method of separation of ionic substances from the
colloidal solution by means of effusion through a suitable
membrane is dialysis. The principle is that sol particles
cannot pass through parchment paper or semipermeable
membrane, due to which the impurity slowly diffuses out
of the base, leaving pure colloid.
Precautions:
The distilled water in the container where a bag is
immersed should be changed frequently to prevent the
accumulation of crystalloids; otherwise, there is a possible
chance of the impurities diffusing back into the bag.
Purification of Colloids
 Purification of Colloids
2) Electro Dialysis:
Dialysis is a slow process and takes a lot of time
for the removal of impurities. The process is
improvised by an applied electrical force. This is
known as electrodialysis. In this method, two
electrical plates are inserted into the distilled
water and are connected to the terminals of the
source; long moves to the opposite electric plate
with greater speed and the sol is purified.
.
 2) Electro Dialysis

.
 3) Ultrafiltration
3) Ultrafiltration:
Normal filter papers cannot be used to filter the
impurities of colloids since, due to the large size of
pores, impurities along with sol particles will be
filtered off. The pore size is reduced by impregnating
the papers in collodion solution, which
is .01-.001micrones. Calculate nitrate solution in the
alcohol-ether mixture and dry with acetaldehyde.
This is known as ultrafiltration, and such papers are
known as ultrafilter papers.
 properties of a colloidal solution
1. Heterogeneous nature:
Although appearing homogeneous, a colloidal solution is a mixture of two
phases: the dispersed phase (suspended particles) and the dispersion
medium (the liquid in which the particles are suspended).
2. Particle size:
Colloidal particles are very small, ranging from 1 to 1000 nanometers in
diameter.
3. Stability:
Due to the continuous movement of particles, colloidal solutions are
relatively stable and do not settle down easily.
4. Tyndall effect:
When a beam of light passes through a colloidal solution, the light is
scattered by the particles, making the path of light visible.
 properties of a colloidal solution
5. Brownian motion:
Colloidal particles exhibit random, zigzag motion due to
continuous collisions with the molecules of the dispersion
medium.
6. Filtration:
Colloidal particles readily pass through ordinary filter paper but
can be separated using specialized filters called ultrafilters.
7. Electrical charge:
Most colloidal particles carry a charge, which helps stabilize the
solution by preventing particles from coming too close and
aggregating.
Electrical Properties of Colloidal Solutions
1. Electrophoresis
When an electric field is applied to a colloidal
solution, the charged particles move towards a
specific electrode. Positively charged particles
move towards the cathode, while negatively
charged particles move towards the anode. The
direction of movement indicates the charge of
the particles.
Electrophoresis
 Electrical Properties of Colloidal Solutions
2. Electro-Osmosis
The opposite of electrophoresis, electro-
osmosis occurs when the dispersion medium
moves under the influence of an electric field,
while the particles remain stationary. This
phenomenon can be used to measure the zeta
potential, which is related to the particle's size
and stability.
2. Electro-Osmosis
 Electrical Properties of Colloidal Solutions
3. Streaming potential
Streaming potential is an electrical potential that
occurs when a liquid with charged ions flows
through a charged membrane or capillary.
Streaming potential is an electrokinetic
phenomenon that results from the movement of
ions and their interactions with the electrical double
layer. The convection of the electrical double layer
generates a streaming current, which induces the
Streaming potential.
3. Streaming potential
 Electrical Properties of Colloidal Solutions
4. Sedimentation potential
Sedimentation potential is the electrical potential
difference that develops in a liquid when charged
particles move through it due to gravity or
centrifugation. This motion disrupts the symmetry of
the particle's double layer, which causes a slight
displacement between the surface charge and the
electric charge of the diffuse layer. This displacement
generates an electric field, which is the
sedimentation potential.
4. Sedimentation potential
 Optical properties of Colloid
Tyndel effect
Colloids exhibit a phenomenon known as the Tyndall effect
observed by Tyndall in 1869. When we pass an intense
converging beam of light through a colloidal solution kept
in dark, the path of the beam gets illuminated with a bluish
light. This phenomenon of scattering of light by colloidal
particles is called the Tyndall effect and the illuminated
path is known as the Tyndall cone. The dispersed colloidal
particles scatter the light falling on them resulting in
emissions that are comparable to ultraviolet and visible
radiations. These scattered radiations get illuminated.
 Continue--------------------
The zone of scattered light is observed to be much larger
than the particle itself. This makes the colloidal particles to
appear as tiny bright spots when viewed under
a microscope. This has to be done at right angles to the
beam of light.
True solutions do not exhibit a Tyndall effect. This is
because the size of particles (ions or molecules) present in
a true solution are too small to scatter light. Thus, the
Tyndall effect can be used to distinguish a colloidal solution
from a true solution.
Tyndel effect
 Kinetic properties of Colloids
Brownian movement
The dispersed particles present in a colloidal solution
exhibit a very important property called the Brownian
movement. When a colloidal solution is viewed under
an ultramicroscope, the colloidal particles are seen
continuously moving in a zigzag path.
There is a continuous bombardment of the moving
molecules of the dispersion medium on the colloidal
particles from all directions.
 Continue---------------
This imparts a momentum to the particles to
move in a forward direction where again it
collides with another particle. These collisions
result in the random zigzag movement of the
colloidal particle.
The Brownian movement imparts stability to the
sol. It opposes the gravitational force acting on
colloidal particles and prevents them from
settling down thus maintaining the stability of
 Electric double layer
From the electrical properties of colloids we know that the
surface colloid particles acquire positive or negative charge
by the selective adsorption of a layer of positive or negative
ions respectively around it.
The charge on colloidal particles is primarily due to the
adsorption of ions from the solution. For example, in a
colloidal solution of AgI in water, the particles will have a
negative charge because of the adsorbed iodide ions I - .
particles are charged by placing ions at immovable points,
forming the first layer. A second layer of diffused mobile
ions forms, and the charge on both layers is equal. That is
called Electric double layer.
Electrical double layer
 zeta potential
Zeta potential, also known as electrokinetic potential, is a scientific
term that measures the electrical potential difference between a
particle and its surrounding fluid. It's a physical property of any
particle in suspension, macromolecule, or material surface.
Zeta potential is a critical parameter in colloidal systems because it:
 Affects the stability of dispersed systems
 Provides insight into the causes of dispersion, aggregation.
 Can be used to optimize the formulations of suspensions,
emulsions, and protein solutions
 Can be used to predict interactions with surfaces
 Can be used to optimize the formation of films and coatings
Electric double layer and zeta potential
 CHAPTER END

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