PROPERTIES OF COLLOID SOLUTION

Colloid Properties
1. Heterogenous in nature
2. Tyndall Effect
3. Brownian Movement
4.Electrophoresis
5. Coagulation
6.Adsorption

HETEROGENEITY

A colloidal solution is heterogenous system

consisting of two phases of
dispersed phase (colloidal particles of a solid)
the aqueous dispersion medium.

Often a colloidal sol appears to be

homogeneous as the particles are small in
size and not visible to the naked eye.
However, this is disproved when it is viewed
under electron microscope (iluminated by a
strong beam of light).

Optical Properties (TYNDALL EFFECT)

If a beam of light illuminates a rough surface, or a cloud
of small particles, some of the light is removed from the
beam and redistributed in all directions.
This angular redistribution is called scattering. The
scattered rays go off in many directions different from
that of the incident light.
A light wave is an electromagnetic wave that travels
through the vacuum of outer space.
Light waves are produced by vibrating electric charges. A
light wave is an electromagnetic wave that travels
through the vacuum of outer space. Light waves are
produced by vibrating electric charges.
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.
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.
The phenomenon of scattering of light by sol particles to form
illuminated beam or cone is called Tyndall effect or

Tyndall beam or Tyndall cone.

Examples:

Aerosol Scattering- because the aerosol particles are

usually a little bigger than the wavelength of light, they
scatter all wavelengths about equally well. The scattered
light is, on the average, white. That's why clouds are
white, and a smoggy sky is whitish or grayish.
Molecular Scattering- Rayleigh Scattering. Because the
molecules are smaller than the wavelength, they scatter short
wavelengths (which are more nearly comparable to the size of the
molecules) better than long wavelengths.

Crepuscular Rays

 Tyndall scattering occurs

when the dimensions of the
particles that are causing the
scattering are larger than the
wavelength of the radiation
that is scattered.
It is caused by reflection of
the incident radiation from
the surfaces of the particles,
reflection from the interior
walls of the particles, and
refraction and diffraction of
the radiation as it passes
through the particles.
Tyndall, John, Born 1820,
County Carlow, Ireland .,Died
1893, Surrey, England

Applications
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. Blue color is the shortest wavelength of sunlight.
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.

Mechanical Effect (Brownian Movement)

When colloidal solutions have been observed through ultra microscope, the colloidal particles are
seen in constant and rapid zig-zag called Brownian movement.

Sir Robert Brown first observed the phenomenon in 1827. Suspensions and true solutions do not
exhibit Brownian movement.
This brownian motion arises due to the uneven distribution of the collisions between colloid particle
and the solvent molecules.
- Brownian movement was more rapid for smaller particles.
- It decrease with increase the viscosity of the medium.
The Brownian movement is due to the bombardment of colloidal particles by molecules of dispersion
medium.
The intensity of motion depends upon the size of the particles and the viscosity of the dispersion
medium.
The smaller the particles and the less viscous the dispersion medium, the more vigorous is the
Brownian movement and vice versa

Cronology

In 1827, when the British botanist Robert Brown was observing through a
microscope, placing pollen into water, he noticed that the particles coming out of the
pollen were moving constantly.
At first, Brown thought they were living creatures that moved by themselves,
however, even those 'non-living' objects that looked like stone powder were moving
the same way.
Brown could not explain the reason for the movement, but the name of the
discovery is "the Brownian movement".
We cannot see atoms and molecules directly, but we can see movement of particles
under a microscope, and indirectly understand the existence of atoms and
molecules.
This 'Brownian movement' has a significant meaning in the history of science. As a
conclusion, it has proved the existence of atoms and molecules.
However, in 1905, Albert Einstein believed that the movement of the particles in gas
or liquid was the cause of the Brownian movement and analyzed it mathematically
(incidentally, that same year Einstein published 3 papers "theory of Brownian
motion", "theory of photoelectric effect" and "special relativity").
Then in 1908, the French scientist Jean Perrin, observing the Brownian theory
explained
that
the
theory
was
correct.

Applications
(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 ultra-microscope
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 in accordance with the following equation:
where = Avogadro number, R = Gas constant, T = Temperature (K), number of
particles at depths respectively, densities of particles and of the liquid
medium respectively. The radius r, of the particle can be determined
easily.

Electrical Properties (ELECTROPHORESIS)

Colloidal particles of a sol either carry positive or negative charge.

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.

Sols in, which the colloidal particles carry positive charge are called positive sols.
When colloidal particles carry negative charge, the sols are called negative sols.

If the movement of colloidal particles is towards the cathode, it is called cataphoresis

The migration of electrically charged colloidal particles under an applied electric

potential is called electrophoresis.

On passing electric current the As 2S3 particles move towards anode (positive
electrodes) indicating that particles are negatively charged particles and lose their
charge and coagulate into coarse particles.

This phenomenon can be studied by a simple apparatus. It consists a U-tube fitted with
a funnel shaped reservoir and a stop cock. An sol is taken in the tube and two
electrodes dipped in the solution.

 Sols of basic dyestuffs, ferric hydroxide, aluminium hydroxide etc., are some
common examples of positive sols.
Colloidal solutions of gums, starch, soap solution, metals (Ag, Cu, Au, Pt etc.),
metal sulphides, and some acid dyestuffs are the examples of negative sols

Electrophoresis
Cation = positively charged ion, it moves toward the
cathode (-)
Anion = negatively charged ion, it moves toward the
anode (+)
Amphoteric substance = can have a
positive/negative/zero charge, it depends on
conditions
Principle:
Some substances have different net charges and can
be separated into several fractions in external electric
field.
But velocity of a particle also depends on the:
size, shape of the particle and given applied
voltage

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.
For example, the negatively charged sol is readily coagulated on addition of a solution of (due to ions). The
positively charged sol is readily coagulated on addition of a solution of NaOH (due to ions).

GEL ELECTROPHORESIS

Gel electrophoresis separates molecules on the basis of their charge and

size.
The charged macromolecules migrate across a span of gel because they
are placed in an electrical field.
The gel acts as a sieve to retard the passage of molecules according to
their size and shape.
The gel is made from agar, DNA is a negative molecules. Agar comes from
sea weed
The gel is 1% agarous and has no electrical charge.
Molecules sort based on
Charge
Size
Shape

The most common types of gels are:

Starch gels: seldom used nowadays
Agarose gels: for separation of nucleic acids and large proteins
Polyacrylamide gels: for separation of most proteins and small nucleic
acids

DNA is cut into smaller fragments.

Loading dye is used to indicate the
fragments of DNA are behind the dye

DNA moves in an
electrical field
so how does that
help you compare
DNA fragments?

The negative DNA molecule is attracted to

the positive electrode.
The smallest fragments move the greatest
distance.

A method of
separating DNA in a
gelatin-like material
using an electrical
field

size of DNA fragment

affects how far it
travels
small pieces
travel farther
large pieces
travel slower &
lag behind

DNA is negatively
charged
when its in an
electrical field it
moves toward
the positive side

DNA

swimming through Jello

Particle Sizes Become Larger

Solutions

Colloidal Dispersions

Suspensions

All particles are on

the order of atoms,
ions, or small
molecules (0.1-1
nm)

Particles of at least one

component are large clusters
of atom, ions or small
molecules, or are very large
ions or molecules (1-1000
nm)

Particles of at least one

component may be
individual seen with a
low power microscope
(over 1000 nm)

Most stable to
gravity

Less stable to gravity

Unstable to gravity

Most homogeneous Also homogeneous, but

borderline

Homogeneous if well
stirred only

Solutions

Colloidal Dispersions

Suspensions

Transparent (but
often colored)

Often translucent or
opaque, but may be
transparent

Often opaque but,

may appear translucent

No Tyndall effect

Tyndall effect

Not applicable
(suspensions cannot be
transparent)

No Brownian
movement

Brownian movement

Particles separate unless

system is stirred

Cannot be separated
by filtration

Cannot be separated
by filtration

Can be separated by
filtration

Homogeneous

to Heterogeneous >

ADSORPTION

COAGULATION
The stability of a sol is due to the charge present on the colloidal particles.
Due to similar charges, colloidal particles repel one another and are unable to
combine together to form larger particles.
However, if the charge on colloidal particles is destroyed, they are free to come
nearer and grow in size.
When the particles become sufficiently large, they get precipitated.
The aggregation of colloidal particles can be considered as involving two
separate and distinct steps:
Particle transport to effect interparticle collision.
Particle destabilization to permit attachment when contact occurs.

This phenomenon is termed as coagulation or flocculation.

The coagulation of colloidal solution can be achieved by the addition of an
electrolyte.
It is to be noted that a small amount of electrolyte is necessary for the stability
of a sol because the ions of the electrolyte get adsorbed on colloidal particles
and impart them some charge.
However, when an electrolyte is added in substantial amount the positively
charged ions of the electrolyte neutralize the charge on colloidal particles and
compel the sol to get coagulated.