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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...

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...

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 17, 2026

Fabrication of Zero Mode Waveguides for High Concentration Single Molecule Microscopy

Fabrication of Zero Mode Waveguides for High Concentration Single Molecule Microscopy

Published on: May 12, 2020

Shape-shifting colloids via stimulated dewetting.

Mena Youssef¹, Theodore Hueckel¹, Gi-Ra Yi²

¹Department of Chemistry, Molecular Design Institute, New York University, 29 Washington Place, New York, New York 10003, USA.

Nature Communications

|July 19, 2016

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Scientists engineered shape-shifting colloidal particles using dewetting forces. These adaptable building blocks can be controlled by chemical or optical signals, enabling new self-assembling materials.

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Last Updated: Mar 17, 2026

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Colloid Science
Nanotechnology

Background:

Biological systems exhibit remarkable adaptability through reconfigurable building blocks.
Translating this adaptability to synthetic materials is a major challenge in material engineering.
Current synthetic materials lack the intrinsic shape-shifting capabilities of biological systems.

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce a novel design concept for self-assembling systems with built-in shape-shifting elements.
To demonstrate a method for creating controllable, shape-changing particles.
To explore the potential of this methodology for advanced material design.

Main Methods:

Exploiting dewetting forces between an oil phase and solid colloidal substrates.
Engineering colloidal particles with geometry controllable by chemical or optical signals.
Applying the synthetic methodology to diverse materials including polymers, semiconductors, and magnetic materials.

Main Results:

Successfully demonstrated the creation of shape-shifting colloidal particles.
Showcased that particle geometry can be altered on demand via external stimuli.
Validated the generality of the approach across various material types.

Conclusions:

The developed method provides a new platform for designing functional colloids.
Enables rapid prototyping of reconfigurable micro swimmers, colloidal surfactants, and switchable building blocks.
Advances the field of self-assembling materials by incorporating dynamic shape-shifting capabilities.