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Colloidal precipitates01:09

Colloidal precipitates

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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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Colloids03:22

Colloids

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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...
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Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism00:57

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The cationic polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination. In the initiation step of the polymerization process, the π bond of a monomer gets protonated by the Lewis acid catalyst, which is formed from boron trifluoride and water. The protonation of the π bond generates a carbocation stabilized by the electron‐donating group. In the propagation step, the π bond of the second monomer acts as a nucleophile and attacks the...
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Step growth polymerization involves bi or multifunctional monomers. Bifunctional monomers react to form linear step growth polymers, whereas multifunctional monomers react to form non-linear or branched polymers.
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Coagulation01:06

Coagulation

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Colloidal solids are solid particles suspended in solution. They are usually negatively charged, attracting a compact primary layer of positively charged ions, which attract more counterions to form an electrical double layer. Electrostatic repulsion between the charged double layers prevents the particles from colliding, stabilizing the colloids. These solids are often undesirable because they can contain toxins that are difficult to remove. Coagulation is a technique that helps aggregate and...
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Solubility03:00

Solubility

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Solution, Solubility, and Solubility Equilibrium
A solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of a solvent, the major component, and a solute, the minor component. The physical state of a solution—solid, liquid, or gas—is typically the same as that of the solvent. Solute concentrations are often described with qualitative terms such as dilute (of relatively low concentration) and concentrated (of relatively high concentration).
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Updated: Dec 11, 2025

Controlling the Size, Shape and Stability of Supramolecular Polymers in Water
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Building polymer-like clusters from colloidal particles with isotropic interactions, in aqueous solution.

Sara Haddadi1, Marie Skepö1, Patric Jannasch2

  • 1Division of Theoretical Chemistry, Lund University, P.O. Box 124, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden.

Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
|August 20, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Researchers created polymer-like clusters in water using specially designed particles. These anisotropic structures, resembling linear or branched polymers, can be controlled by temperature and particle concentration for future applications.

Keywords:
Colloidal dispersionsCore-shell particlesIsotropic interactionsLinear structuresPoly (ethylene glycol)Poly (styrene)

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Area of Science:

  • Colloid and Surface Science
  • Polymer Science
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Colloidal particles with specific interactions can form anisotropic structures.
  • Previous work focused on non-aqueous solvents, but aqueous solutions present unique challenges and opportunities.
  • Theoretical predictions suggest the feasibility of forming polymer-like clusters in aqueous environments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize and characterize polymer-like clusters formed by colloidal particles in aqueous solution.
  • To investigate the role of temperature, ionic strength, and particle concentration in cluster formation.
  • To demonstrate the potential for creating anisotropic structures with tunable properties.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis of poly (styrene) particles grafted with poly (ethylene glycol) chains.
  • Controlled adjustment of ionic strength, temperature, and particle concentration.
  • Structural analysis using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM).
  • Theoretical predictions via Metropolis Monte Carlo (MC) simulations in 2D and 3D.

Main Results:

  • Particles exhibited weak negative charge, enabling control over hydrophobic interactions via temperature.
  • Highly anisotropic, polymer-like clusters (linear and branched) were successfully formed and imaged.
  • The degree of polymerization was tunable by adjusting particle concentration.
  • Simulation results corroborated experimental observations.

Conclusions:

  • Aqueous synthesis of polymer-like colloidal clusters is achievable.
  • Temperature and ionic strength are critical parameters for controlling cluster anisotropy.
  • These findings open avenues for novel applications of self-assembled colloidal structures.