MODULE - 3 Chemistry

States of matter

10
Notes
Colloids

You are familiar with solutions. They play an important role in our life. A large number of
substances such as milk, butter, cheese, cream, coloured gems, boot polish, rubber, ink
also play an important role in our daily life. They are also solutions of another kind. They
are colloidal solutions. The term colloid has been derived from two terms, namely colla
and oids. ‘Kolla’ means glue and ‘Oids’ means like i.e. glue-like. The size of the particles
in colloidal solutions is bigger than the size of particles present in solutions of sugar or salt
in water. In this lesson you will learn about the methods of preparation, properties and
applications of colloidal solutions.

Objectives
After reading this lesson you will be able to:
 explain the difference between true solution, colloidal solution and suspension;
 identify phases of colloidal solution;
 classify colloidal solutions;
 describe methods of preparation of colloids;
 explain some properties of colloidal solutions;
 recognise the difference between gel and emulsion and,
 cite examples of the application of colloids in daily life.

10.1 Distinction Between a True Solution, Colloidal

Solution and Suspension
You may recall that solution of sugar in water is homogeneous but milk is not. When you
closely look at milk you can see oil droplets floating in it. Thus, although it appears to be
homogenous it is actually heterogenous in nature. The nature of the solution formed
depends upon the size of the solute particles. If the size of the solute particles is less than
1 nm it will form true solution but when the size is between 1 to 100 nm then it will form
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colloidal solution. When the size of solute particles is greater than 100 nm it will form a
suspension. Therefore we may conclude that colloidal solution is an intermediate state
between true solution and suspension (Table 10.1).
Table 10.1 : Some important properties of true solutions, colloids and suspensions

Name of True Solution Colloids Solution Suspension Notes

S.No.
Property

1. Size Size of particles is Size of particles is Size of particles is

less than 1 nm between 1nm and greater than 100 nm.
100 nm.

2. Filterability Pass through Pass through Do not pass

ordinary ordinary filter paper through filter paper
filter paper and also but not through or
through animal animal membrane. animal membrane.
membrane.

3. Settling Particles do not Particles do not settle

settle down on down on their own Particles settle
keeping but can be made to down on their own
settle down by under gravity.
centrifugation.

4. Visibility Particles are invisible Particles are invisible Particles are visible
to the naked eye as to the naked eye but to the naked eye.
well as under a their scattering effect
microscope. can be observed with
the help of a
microscope.

5. Separation The solute and The solute and The solute and
solvent cannot be solvent cannot be solvent can be
separated by separated separated by
ordinary filteration by ordinary filteration ordinary filteration.
or by ultra filteration. but can be separated
by ultra-filteration.

6. Diffusion Diffuse quickly Diffuse slowly Do not diffuse

10.2 Phases of Colloids Solution

Colloids solutions are heterogenous in nature and always consist of at least two phases :
the dispersed phase and the dispersion medium.
 Dispersed Phase : It is the substance present in small proportion and consists of
particles of colloids size (1 to 100 nm).
 Dispersion Medium : It is the medium in which the colloids particles are dispersed.

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For example, in a colloidal solution of sulphur in water, sulphur particles constitute the
‘dispersed phase’ and water is the ‘dispersion medium’.
Each of the two phases namely, dispersed phase and dispersion medium can be solid,
liquid or gas. Thus, different types of colloidal solutions are possible depending upon the
physical state of the two phases. Different types of colloidal solutions and their examples
are shown in Table 10.2. You should note that gases cannot form a colloidal solution
Notes between themselves, because they form homogenous mixtures.
Table 10.2 : Types of Colloidal Solutions
S.No. Dispersed Dispersion Type of Examples
Phase Medium Colloidal Solution

1. Solid Solid Solid solution Gemstones,

2. Solid Liquid Sol Paints, muddy water,
gold sol, starch sol,
arsenious sulphide sol.
3. Solid Gas Aerosol of solids Smoke, dust in air
4. Liquid Solid Gel Jellies, Cheese
5. Liquid Liquid Emulsion Milk, Cream
6. Liquid Gas Aerosol Mist, fog, cloud
7. Gas Solid Solid foam Foam rubber,
pumice stone
8. Gas Liquid Foam Froth, whipped cream

Out of the various types of colloidal solutions listed above, the most common are sols
(solid in liquid type), gels (liquid in solid type) and emulsions (liquid in liquid type). If the
dispersion medium is water then the ‘sol’ is called a hydrosol; and if the dispersion medium
is alcohol then the ‘sol’ is called an alcosol.

Intext Questions 10.1

1. Classify the following into suspension, colloidal solution and true solution.
milk, sugar in water, clay in water, blood, boot polish, sand in water, face cream, jelly,
foam.
..............................................................................................................................
2. Give one example each of
(a) Sol (b) Gel (c) Aerosol (d) Emulsion
..............................................................................................................................
3. What is the difference between an alcosol and hydrosol?
..............................................................................................................................

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4. How does colloidal solution differ from true solution.
..............................................................................................................................

10.3 Classification of Colloids

Colloidal solutions can be classified in different ways : Notes
(a) on the basis of interaction between the phases.
(b) on the basis of molecular size.

10.3.1 Classification Based Upon Interaction

Depending upon the interaction between dispersed phase and the dispersion medium colloidal
solutions have been classified into two categories.
(a) Lyophilic colloids : The word Lyophilic means solvent lover. Lyophilic colloidal solutions
are those in which the dispersed phase have a great affinity (or love) for the dispersion
medium. Substances like gum, gelatine, starch etc when mixed with suitable dispersion
medium, directly pass into colloidal state and form colloidal solution. Therefore, such
solutions are easily formed simply by bringing dispersed phase and dispersion medium in
direct contact with each other. However, these colloidal solutions have an important property
i.e. they are reversible in nature. This means that once lyophilic colloidal solution has been
formed then dispersed phase and dispersion medium can be separated easily. Once
separated these can again be formed by remixing the two phases. These sols are quite
stable.
If water is used as dispersion medium then it is termed as hydrophilic colloid.
(b) Lyophobic Colloids : The word Lyophobic means solvent hating. Lyophobic colloidal
solutions are those in which the dispersed phase has no affinity for the dispersion medium.
Metals like Au, Ag and their hydroxides or sulphides etc., when simply mixed with dispersion
medium do not pass directly into colloidal state. These sols have to be prepared by special
methods. These sols can be readily precipitated and once precipitated they have little
tendency to go back into the colloidal state. Thus these sols are irreversible in nature. Also
they are not very stable and require a stabilizing agent to remain in the colloidal form. In
case water is used as dispersion medium it is called as hydrophobic sol.

10.3.2 Classification Based on Molecular Size

Depending upon the molecular size the colloids have been classified as
(a) Macromolecular colloids –In this type of colloids the size of the particles of the
dispersed phase are big enough to fall in the colloidal dimension as discussed earlier
(i.e.–100 nm)
Examples of naturally occurring macromolecular colloids are starch, cellulose, proteins
etc.
(b) Multi molecular colloids – Here individually the atoms are not of colloidal size but
they aggregate to join together forming a molecule of colloidal dimension. For example
sulphur sol contains aggregates of S8 molecules which fall in colloidal dimension.
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(c) Associated colloids – These are substances which behave as normal electrolyte at
low concentration but get associated at higher concentration to form miscelle and
behave as colloidal solution. Soap is an example. Soap is sodium salt of long chain
fatty acid R COONa. When put in water, soap forms RCOO— and Na+. These
RCOO— ions associate themselves around dirt particles as shown below forming a
miscelle (Fig. 10.1).
Notes
Na+
Water COO–
Na+ Na+
COO– COO–
Miscells
+
COO– Na
–
COO
Na+

–
– COO
COO Na
+

+
Na COO
–

+
Na

Fig.10.1 : Aggregation of RCOO– ions to form a micelle.

10.4 Preparation of Colloidal Solutions

As discussed earlier, the lyophilic sols can be prepared directly by mixing the dispersed
phase with the dispersion medium. For example, colloidal solutions of starch, gelatin, gum
etc. are prepared by simply dissolving these substances in hot water. Similarly, a colloidal
sol of cellulose nitrate is obtained by dissolving it in alcohol. The resulting solution is called
collodion.
However, lyophobic colloids cannot be prepared by direct method.
Hence two types of methods are used for preparing lyophobic colloids. These are :
(i) Physical methods
(ii) Chemical methods
(i) Physical methods
These methods are employed for obtaining colloidal solutions of metals like gold, silver,
platinum etc. (Fig. 10.2)
+ Electrodes –

Dispersion medium

Ice-Bath

182 Fig. 10.2 : Preparation of colloidal solution by Bredig’s Arc Method

 The Colloids Solution MODULE - 3
States of matter
An electric arc is struck between the two metallic electrodes placed in a container of
water. The intense heat of the arc converts the metal into vapours, which are condensed
immediately in the cold water bath. This results in the formation of particles of colloidal
size. We call it as gold sol.
Peptisation : Peptisation is the process of converting a freshly prepared precipitate into
colloidal form by the addition of a suitable electrolyte. The electrolyte is called peptising
agent. For example when ferric chloride is added to a precipitate of ferric hydroxide, Notes
ferric hydroxide gets converted into reddish brown coloured colloidal solution. This is due
to preferential adsorption of cations of the electrolyte by the precipitate. When FeCl 3 is
added to Fe(OH)3, Fe3+ ions from FeCl3 are adsorbed by Fe(OH)3 particles. Thus the
Fe(OH)3 particles acquire + ve charge and they start repelling each other forming a
colloidal solution.
(ii) Chemical Methods : By oxidation
Sulphur sol is obtained by bubbling H2S gas through the solution of an oxidizing agent like
HNO3 or Br2 water, etc. according to the following equation :
Br2 + H2S  S + 2 HBr
2 HNO3 + H2S  2 H2O + 2 NO2 + S
Fe(OH)3 sol, As2 S3 sol can also be prepared by chemical methods.

10.5 Purification of Colloidal Solution

When a colloidal solution is prepared it contains certain impurities. These impurities are
mainly electrolytic in nature and they tend to destabilise the colloidal solutions. Therefore
colloidal solutions are purified by the following methods:
(i) Dialysis
(ii) Electrodialysis
Dialysis : The process of dialysis is based on the fact that colloidal particles cannot pass
through parchment or celloplane membrane while the ions of the electrolyte can. The
colloidal solution is taken in a bag of cellophane which is suspended in a tub full of fresh
water. The impurities diffuse out leaving pure coloidal solution in the bag (Fig. 10.3). This
process of separating the particles of colloids from impurities by means of diffusion through
a suitable membrane is called dialysis.

Fig. 10.3 : A dialyser

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Electrodialysis : The dialysis process is slow and to speed up its rate, it is carried out in
the presence of an electrical field. When the electric field is applied through the electrodes,
the ions of the electrolyte present as impurity diffuse towards oppositely charged electrodes
at a fast rate. The dialysis carried out in the presence of electric field is known as
electrodialysis (Fig. 10.4).

Notes – +

Addition of
Impure sol Water
Funnel

Electrodes

Colloid
Crystalloid
Solution of Crystalloid
in water
Cellophane bag or
Parchment paper bag

Fig. 10.4 : Electrodialysis

The most important use of dialysis is the purification of blood in the artificial kidney machine.
The dialysis membrane allows the small particles (ions etc.) to pass through, whereas
large size particles like haemoglobin do not pass through the membrane.

Intext Questions 10.2

1. Name two colloids that can be prepared by Bredig’s Arc method.
............................................................................................................................
2. Name two colloids that can be prepared by chemical methods.
............................................................................................................................
3. Differentiate between (a) Lyophilic and Lyophobic sol. (b) macromolecular and
multimolecular colloids.
............................................................................................................................
4. Explain the formation of miscelle.
............................................................................................................................

10.6 Properties of Colloids

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10.6 Properties of Colloids
The properties of colloids are discussed below :
a) Heterogeneous character : Colloidal particles remain within their own boundary
surfaces which separate them from the dispersion medium. So a colloidal system is
a heterogeneous mixture of two phases. The two phases are dispersed phase and
dispersion medium. Notes
b) Brownian movement : It is also termed as Brownian motion and is named after its
discoverer Robert Brown (a Botanist.)
Brownian Motion is the zig-zag movement of colloidal particles in continuous random
manner (Fig. 10.5). Brownian motion arises because of the impact of the molecules
of the dispersion medium on the particles of dispersed phase. The forces are unequal
in different directions. Hence it causes the particles to move in a zig-zag way.

Fig. 10.5 : Brownian Movement

c) Tyndall Effect : Tyndall in 1869, observed that if a strong beam of light is passed
through a colloidal solution then the path of light is illuminated. This phenomenon is
called Tyndall Effect. This phenomenon is due to scattering of light by colloidal
particles (fig.10.6). The same effect is noticed when a beam of light enters a dark
room through a slit and becomes visible. This happens due to the scattering of light
by particles of dust in the air.

Fig.10.6 : The Tyndall Effect

d) Electrical Properties : The particles of a colloidal solution are electrically charged

and carry the same type of charge, either negative or positive. The dispersion medium
has an equal and opposite charge. The colloidal particles therefore repel each other
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States of matter and do not cluster together to settle down. For example, arsenious sulphide sol, gold
sol, silver sol, etc. contain negatively charged colloidal particles whereas ferric
hydroxide, aluminium hydroxide etc. contain positively charged colloidal particles.
Origin of charge on colloidal particles is due to:
(a) Preferential adsorption of cations or anions by colloidal particles.
(b) Miscelles carry a charge on them.
Notes
(c) During the formation of colloids especially by Bredig arc method, colloidal particles
capture electrons and get charged. The existence of charge on a colloidal particle is
shown by a process called electrophoresis.
Electrophoresis is a process which involves the movement of colloidal particles
either towards cathode or anode under the influence of electrical field. The apparatns
used is as shown in Fig 10.7.
– +

Electrode

Coagulated sol
particles

As2S3 sol
(negative charged)

Fig. 10.7 : A set up for Electrophoresis

10.7 Applications of Colloidal Solutions

Colloids play a very important role in our daily life. Some of these applications are discussed
below:
(i) Sewage disposal : Colloidal particles of dirt, etc. carry electric charge. When sewage
is allowed to pass through metallic plates kept at a high potential, the colloidal particles
move to the oppositely charged electrode and get precipitated there. Hence sewage
water is purified.
(ii) Purification of Water in Wells : When alum is added to muddy water, the negatively
charged particles of the colloid are neutralized by Al3+ ions. Hence the mud particles
settle down and the water can be filtered and used.
(iii) Smoke Precipitation : Smoke particles are actually electrically charged colloidal
particles of carbon in air. Precipitation of this carbon is done in a Cottrell’s
Precipitator. Smoke from chimneys is allowed to pass through a chamber having a
number of metallic plates connected to a source of high potential as shown in

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Fig. 10.8. Charged particles of smoke get attracted to the oppositively charged
electrode and get precipitated and hot purified air passes out.

Notes

Fig.10.8 : Cottrell smoke precipitator

Other applications in day to day life are :

(i) Photography : A colloidal solution of silver bromide in gelatin is applied on glass
plates or celluloid films to form photo-senstive plates in photography.
(ii) Clotting of Blood : Blood is a colloidal solution and is negatively charged. On
applying a solution of FeCl3 bleeding stops and clotting of the colloidal particles of
blood takes place.
(iii) Rubber Plating : Latex is a colloidal solution of negatively charged rubber particles.
The object to be rubber plated is made the anode in the rubber plating bath. The
negatively charged rubber particles move towards the anode and get deposited on it.
(iv) Blue Colour of Sky : Have you ever wondered why is the sky blue? It is because
the colloidal dust particles floating about in the sky scatter blue light, that makes the
sky appear blue. In the absence of these colloidal particles the sky would have
appeared dark throughout.

10.8 Emulsion and Gel

Emulsions are colloidal solutions in which both the dispersed phase and dispersion medium
are liquids. However, the two liquids are immiscible, as miscible liquids will form true
solution.
Emulsion are of two kinds :
(a) Oil-in-water emulsion : Here the dispersed phase is oil while the dispersion medium

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is water. Milk is an example of this kind as in milk liquid fats are dispersed in water.
Vanishing cream is another example.
(b) Water-in-oil emulsion : Here dispersed phase is water and dispersion medium is oil.
Butter, cod- liver oil, cold creams are examples of this type.
The liquids forming emulsion i.e. oil and water will separate out on keeping as they are
Notes immiscible. Therefore an emulsifying agent or emulsifier is added to stabilise the emulsion.
Soap is a common emulsifier. The preparation of emulsion in the presence of an emulsifier
is called emulsification.
How does an emulsifier work? It is believed that an emulsifier gets concentrated at the
interface between oil and water i.e. the surface at which oil and water come in contact
with each other. It acts as a binder between oil and water.
Applications of Emulsions - Emulsions play very important role in our daily life. Some
of the common applications are given below :
1. The cleansing action of soap and synthetic detergents for washing clothes, bathing
etc is based upon the formation of oil in water type emulsion.
2. Milk is an emulsion of fat in water. Milk cream and butter are also emulsions.
3. Various cold creams, vanishing creams, body lotions etc. are all emulsions.
4. Various oily drugs such as cod liver oil are administered in the form of emulsion for
their better and faster absorption. Some ointments are also in the form of emulsions.
5. The digestion of fats in the intestine occurs by the process of emulsification.
6. Emulsions are used for concentrating the sulphide ores by froth flotation process.
Finely powdered ore is treated with an oil emulsion and the mixture is vigorously
agitated by compressed air when the ore particles are carried to the surface and
removed.
Gels - Gels are the type of colloids in which the dispersed phase is a liquid and the
dispersion medium is a solid. Cheese, jelly, boot polish are common examples of gel. Most
of the commonly used gels are hydrophilic colloidal solution in which a dilute solution,
under suitable conditions set as elastic semi solid masses. For example 5% aqueous solution
of gelatin in water on cooling forms the jelly block.
Gels may shrink on keeping by loosing some of the liquid held by them. This is known as
syneresis or resetting on standing.
Gels are divided in two categories elastic gels and non elastic gels. Elastic gels are
reversible. When partly dehydrated on loosing water, they change back into the original
form on addition of water. The non elastic gels are not reversible.
Gels are useful in many ways. Silica, cheese, jelly, boot polish, curd are commonly used
gels. Solidified alcohol fuel is a gel of alcohol in calcium acetate.

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What You Have Learnt
 Size of the particles in the colloidal state is intermediate between that of suspension
and true solution.
 There are eight different types of colloidal systems.
Notes
 Sols are classified on the basis of (a) interaction between dispersed phase and dispersion
medium (b) molecular size of dispersed phase.
 Colloidal solutions are prepared by physical and chemical methods.
 The zig zag motion of colloidal particles is called Brownian motion.
 Colloidal size particles scatter light and so the path of light becomes visible in a semi
darkened room due to dust particles.
 Colloidal particles may carry electric charge.
 A colloidal dispersion of a liquid in another liquid is called an emulsion.
 A colloidal solution of a liquid dispersed in a solid medium is called a gel.
 Colloids are extremely useful to mankind both in daily life and in industry.

Terminal Exercise
1. List three differences between a true solution and a colloidal solution.
2. Describe one method of preparation of
(a) a lyophilic colloid
(b a lyophobic colloid
3. What are associated colloids?
4. What is Brownian motion? How does it originate?
5. Why bleeding from a fresh cut stops on applying alum?
6. Two beakers A and B contain ferric hydroxide sol and NaCl solution respectively.
When a beam of light is allowed to converge on them, (in a darkened room), beam of
light is visible in beaker A but not in breaker B. Give the reason. What is this effect
called?
7. Define the following terms and give two examples of each
(i) Gel
(ii) Sol
8. Describe two important applications of colloidal solutions.
9. Give two examples of emulsions used in daily life.
10. Explain the role of emulsifier in an emulsion?
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Answers to the Intext Questions
10.1
1. Suspension – Clay in water, Sand in water

Notes Colloidal – Milk, Blood, Boot polish, Face Cream, Jelly, Foam.
True Solution – Sugar in water
2. Sol – Starch in water
Gel – Silica gel
Aerosol – Fog
Emulsion – Milk
3. Alcosol – When alcohol is the dispersion medium.
Hydrosol – When water is the dispersion medium.
4. True solution Colloidal solution
(1) Size of solute in less than 1 nm. (1) Particle size (1–100) nm.
(2) Form transparent solution and allows (2) Path of light becomes visible.
light to pass through them.

10.2
1. Gold sol, Platinum sol
2. As2S3, Fe(OH)3 (Arsenious sulphide sol, ferric hydroxide sol)
3. (a) Lyophilic sol :
(1) easy to prepare
(2) affinity between dispersed phase and dispersion medium.
(3) Reversible
Lyophobic
(1) special method used for preparation
(2) No affinity between the two phases.
(3) Not reversible
(b) Macromolecular – The size of the colloidal particles large enough to fall in the
colloidal dimensions.
Multimolecular – Individually the particles are not of colloidal dimensions but they
aggregate to join together to form molecules of colloidal size.
4. Refer to 10.3.2 (c)

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