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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...

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...

Coagulation

Coagulation

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...

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...

Polymers

Polymers

The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the...

Polymers: Molecular Weight Distribution

Polymers: Molecular Weight Distribution

For any given polymer, the weight average molecular weight (Mw) is higher than, if not equal to, the number average molecular weight (Mn). The only situation in which the weight average molecular weight and the number average molecular weight are equal is when a polymer consists only of chains with equal molecular weight. However, this never happens in a synthetic polymer, since it is difficult to control the polymerization process up to a molecular level with accuracy to a hundred percent.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 1, 2025

Synthesis and Characterization of Supramolecular Colloids

Synthesis and Characterization of Supramolecular Colloids

Published on: April 22, 2016

Polymer Colloids: Synthesis Fundamentals to Applications.

Michael J Monteiro¹, Michael F Cunningham²

¹Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.

Biomacromolecules

|November 9, 2020

Summary

This special issue showcases research from the International Polymer Colloid Group (IPCG), focusing on polymer colloids and their biomacromolecules applications. It highlights the IPCG

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Area of Science:

Polymer Science
Materials Science
Biomaterials

Background:

This special issue highlights research from the International Polymer Colloid Group (IPCG).
The IPCG was founded in 1972 to foster collaboration between academia and industry in polymer colloid research.
The increasing relevance of polymer colloids in biomacromolecules research inspired this special issue.

Discussion:

The IPCG comprises over 120 researchers from more than 20 countries.
Activities include annual symposia and a biennial International Polymer Colloid Group Research Conference.
A semiannual newsletter disseminates recent research findings, including unpublished results from members.

Key Insights:

The special issue emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of polymer colloid research.
It showcases the global reach and collaborative efforts within the IPCG.
The content reflects the growing importance of colloidal dimensions in biomacromolecules.

Outlook:

Continued advancements in polymer colloid science are expected.
Further integration of polymer colloids in biomacromolecules applications is anticipated.
The IPCG will remain a vital forum for scientific exchange and innovation.