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Colloidal precipitates

Colloidal precipitates

The high insolubility of some precipitates can result in an unfavorable relative supersaturation. This can lead to colloidal particles with a large surface-to-mass ratio, where adsorption is promoted. For instance, in the precipitation of silver chloride, silver ions are adsorbed on the surface of the colloidal particles, forming a primary layer. This layer attracts ions of opposite charge (such as nitrate ions), forming a diffuse secondary layer of adsorbed ions. This electric double layer...

Colloids

Colloids

Children at play often make suspensions such as mixtures of mud and water, flour and water, or a suspension of solid pigments in water known as tempera paint. These suspensions are heterogeneous mixtures composed of relatively large particles that are visible to the naked eye or can be seen with a magnifying glass. They are cloudy, and the suspended particles settle out after mixing. On the other hand, a solution is a homogeneous mixture in which no settling occurs and in which the dissolved...

The Colloidal State

The Colloidal State

The formation of a colloidal system is exemplified by an aqueous solution containing Cl− ions is introduced to another containing Ag+ ions, resulting in the precipitation of solid AgCl as extremely tiny crystals. Instead of settling out as a filterable precipitate, these crystals remain suspended in the liquid, showcasing a colloidal system.A colloidal system involves colloidal particles within the approximate range of 1 to 1000 nm in at least one dimension, dispersed in a medium called the...

Drying Shrinkage

Drying Shrinkage

When hardened concrete is exposed to air with a relative humidity of less than 100 percent, it begins to lose the free water within its capillaries. As this water evaporates, the water initially adsorbed onto the calcium silicate hydrates migrates towards these now empty spaces and eventually evaporates as well. Over time, as more water leaves, the volume of the concrete decreases, a phenomenon known as drying shrinkage.
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Colloids and Suspensions

Colloids and Suspensions

Children at play often make suspensions such as mixtures of mud and water, flour and water, or a suspension of solid pigments in water known as tempera paint. These suspensions are heterogeneous mixtures composed of relatively large particles visible to the naked eye or seen with a magnifying glass. They are cloudy, and the suspended particles settle out after mixing. The suspended particles in a suspension settle out after some time of mixing. The separation of particles from a suspension is...

Washing, Drying, and Ignition of Precipitates

Washing, Drying, and Ignition of Precipitates

After filtration, the precipitate is washed to remove coprecipitated impurities and any remaining mother liquor. Colloidal precipitates, such as silver chloride, are washed with an electrolyte (such as dilute nitric acid) to prevent the peptization of the precipitate. In the case of slightly soluble precipitates, the wash solution contains a common ion to reduce solubility. Lead sulfate, which is slightly soluble in water, is washed with dilute sulfuric acid. Similarly, wash solutions may be...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Confocal Imaging of Confined Quiescent and Flowing Colloid-polymer Mixtures

Confocal Imaging of Confined Quiescent and Flowing Colloid-polymer Mixtures

Published on: May 20, 2014

Cracking in drying colloidal films.

Karnail B Singh¹, Mahesh S Tirumkudulu

¹Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT-Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India.

Physical Review Letters

|August 7, 2007

Summary

Drying colloidal films crack due to capillary stress. This study reveals two crack-free film regimes based on compressive strain, explaining maximum thickness limits for paints, coatings, and advanced materials.

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Chemical Engineering
Physics

Background:

Thick films of colloidal dispersions, including paints and coatings, are prone to cracking during drying.
Capillary stresses during drying are the identified cause of cracking.
The maximum crack-free film thickness, influenced by particle characteristics, remains poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To understand the factors governing the maximum crack-free film thickness in colloidal dispersions.
To identify distinct regimes for crack-free film formation.
To provide a theoretical basis for controlling film cracking.

Main Methods:

Theoretical modeling of compressive strain and capillary pressure in drying films.
Experimental measurements of film thickness and cracking behavior.

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Comparison of theoretical predictions with experimental data.

Main Results:

Two distinct regimes for crack-free films were identified based on compressive strain at maximum capillary pressure.
The developed theory shows remarkable agreement with experimental measurements.
The findings elucidate the relationship between particle properties and crack-free film thickness.

Conclusions:

The study provides a fundamental understanding of crack formation in drying colloidal films.
Results offer practical guidance for formulating paints, coatings, and ceramics to prevent cracking.
The findings are applicable to the production of crack-free photonic band gap crystals.