A.

Basis 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. The dispersed-
phase particles have a diameter between approximately 1 and 1000 nanometers. Such
particles are normally easily visible in an optical microscope, although at the smaller size
range (r < 250 nm), an ultra-microscope or an electron microscope may be required.
Homogeneous mixtures with a dispersed phase in this size range may be called colloidal
aerosols, colloidal emulsions, colloidal foams, colloidal dispersions, or hydrosols. The
dispersed-phase particles or droplets are affected largely by the surface chemistry present
in the colloid.
B. Classifying Colloids
A common method of classifying colloids is based on the phase of the dispersed
substance and what phase it is dispersed in (dispersion medium). The types of colloids
consist of:
1. Sol is a colloidal suspension with solid particles in a liquid.
2. Emulsion is between two liquids.
3. Foam is formed when many gas particles are trapped in a liquid or solid.
4. Aerosol contains small particles of liquid or solid dispersed in a gas.
TABLE 1.0 Colloid classification

Dispersed Phase
Medium/Phase
Gas Liquid Solid
- Aerosol Solid Aerosol
Example: fog, Example: smoke,

Gas clouds, mist, hair ice cloud,

sprays atmospheric
particulate matter
Dispersion Foam Emulsion Sol
Medium Example: whipped Example: milk, Example:
Liquid
cream, shaving mayonnaise, hand pigmented ink,
cream cream; latex blood
Solid Foam Gel Solid Sol
Solid Example: aerogel, Example: agar, Example: cranberry
Styrofoam, pumice gelatin, jelly glass

Based on the nature of interaction between the dispersed phase and the dispersion
medium, colloids can be classified as: Hydrophilic colloids: These are water-loving
colloids. The colloid particles are attracted toward water. They are also called reversible
sols. Hydrophobic colloids: These are opposite in nature to hydrophilic colloids. The
colloid particles are repelled by water. They are also called irreversible sols. In some
 cases, a colloid suspension can be considered a homogeneous mixture. This is because the
distinction between "dissolved" and "particulate" matter can be sometimes a matter of
approach, which affects whether or not it is homogeneous or heterogeneous.
C. Preparation of Colloids
1. Condensation method
Preparation of a colloidal system by a condensation method is a method of making a
colloidal system by agglomerating a true solution particle (atoms, ions or molecules)
into colloidal-sized particles. The condensation method may be solvent replacement,
double decomposition reaction, redox reaction or hydrolysis reaction.
a. Solvent Replacement
Sulfur is easily soluble in alcohol (eg ethanol) but is difficult to dissolve in water.
So, to make sulfur sol in water dispersing medium, sulfur is dissolved into ethanol
until saturated. After that, the sulfur solution in ethanol is fed into the water
gradually. Sulfur particles will agglomerate into colloids due to decreased sulfur
solubility in water. Then ethanol can be separated by dialysis, then formed sulfur
sol.
b. Duplex decomposition reaction
To make AgCl soles can be done by mixing aqueous AgNO3 solution and dilute
HCl solution. The reaction can be written as follows.
AgNO3(aq) + HCl(aq)  AgCl(colloid) + HNO3(aq)
As for making As2S3 soles can be done by flowing H2S gas into As2O3 solution.
The reaction can be written as follows.
As2O3(aq) + H2S(aq)  As2S3(colloid) + H2O(l)
c. Redox reactions
To make gold soles, can be done by reducing the salt by using formaldehyde
reductant. The reaction can be written as follows.
2AuCl3(aq) + 3HCHO(aq) + H2O(l)  2Au(colloid) + 6HCl(aq) +
3HCOOH(aq)
d. Hydrolysis Reactions
To make gold soles, can be done by reducing the salt by using formaldehyde
reductant. The reaction can be written as follows. The hydrolysis reaction is used
to make colloids in ferrous (Fe), aluminum (Al), and chromium (Cr) metals. That's
because the metal base is colloidal. In the preparation of Fe (OH) 3 sol, the FeCl 3
solution is added to hot water. The equation of the reaction can be written as
follows.
FeCl3(aq) + H2O(l)  Fe(OH)3(colloid) + 3HCl(aq)
2. Dispersion method
The dispersion method is a way of colloid making by smoothing the suspension
particles into colloidal particles. Which includes the dispersion method is the
manufacture of colloid by mechanical, peptisation, and Bredig arc.
a. Mechanical
In this way, the colloids are made by smoothing coarse particles into colloid
particles and then dispersed into a dispersing medium. The tool used to smooth the
coarse particles into colloidal particles is called a colloid grinder. This method is
widely applied to
 Food industry, which is in the manufacture of ice cream, fruit juice, jam and
others.
 Chemical industry, namely on the manufacture of paints, dyes, toothpaste, and
detergents.
b. Bredig Arc
This method is used to make metal soles, such as Ag, Au, and Pt. The metal to be
converted to colloid is used as an electrode. Both metal electrodes are adjacent to
each other and given an electrical jump in the dispersion medium. As a result of
these electrical jumps, there is heat that will evaporate the metal. The metal vapor
will be condensed in the dispersing medium to form a metal sole.
c. Peptisation
The way of peptisation is the way of making colloidal system by breaking big
particles by adding an electrolyte containing a similar ion or with the help of a
cracking agent (pemeptisasi). This method is commonly used on
 Al (OH) 3 soles were prepared by adding dilute HCl (slightly) to the newly
created Al (OH) 3 precipitate,
 Fe (OH) 3 soles were prepared by adding FeCl 3 to Fe (OH) 3,
 NiS soles can be made by adding H2S to NiS deposits.