Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Synthesis and Characterization of Supramolecular Colloids
Published on: April 22, 2016
Morphological analysis of the effects of ions and ultraviolet light on colloidal monolayers at the air-water
F Ghezzi1, J C Earnshaw, M Finnis
1School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Abstract:
The formation of fractal aggregates under the external influence of ions or ultraviolet light has been observed in colloidal monolayers trapped at the air-water interface. A morphological analysis of this is reported in this paper. These fractals have many characteristics similar to those observed in other experiments where electrolyte was added to the bulk. However, they exhibit behavior, such as restructuring, particular to the external influence. In most cases the aggregating system displayed scaling analogous to spinodal decomposition, but with the measured fractal dimension (which depends slightly on the external influence) entering in place of the usual spatial dimension.
Related Concept Videos
The Colloidal State
Colloidal precipitates
Colloids
Common Ion Effect
Coagulation
Factors Affecting Solubility
