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Related Concept Videos

Colloidal precipitates01:09

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...
The Colloidal State01:29

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...
Colloids03:22

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...
Extraction: Advanced Methods00:56

Extraction: Advanced Methods

Metal ions can be separated from one another by complexation with organic ligands–the chelating agent– to form uncharged chelates. Here, the chelating agent must contain hydrophobic groups and behave as a weak acid, losing a proton to bind with the metal. Since most organic ligands used in this process are insoluble or undergo oxidation in the aqueous phase, the chelating agent is initially added to the organic phase and extracted into the aqueous phase. The metal-ligand complex is formed in...
Solubility03:00

Solubility

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).
In a solution, the solute particles (molecules, atoms, and/or ions)...
Intermolecular Forces in Solutions02:28

Intermolecular Forces in Solutions

The formation of a solution is an example of a spontaneous process, a process that occurs under specified conditions without energy from some external source.
When the strengths of the intermolecular forces of attraction between solute and solvent species in a solution are no different than those present in the separated components, the solution is formed with no accompanying energy change. Such a solution is called an ideal solution. A mixture of ideal gases (or gases such as helium and argon,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Flash NanoPrecipitation for the Encapsulation of Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Compounds in Polymeric Nanoparticles
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How do diluent-aggregates interactions affect the structure of colloidal systems in solvent extraction?

Gustave Szczepan1, Jean-François Dufrêche1, Magali Duvail1

  • 1ICSM, Univ Montpellier, CEA, CNRS, ENSCM, Bagnols-sur-Cèze, France.

The Journal of Chemical Physics
|June 15, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Molecular dynamics simulations reveal that extractant aggregates in liquid-liquid systems are dynamic, not rigid. The interplay between extractants and diluents significantly impacts metal ion extraction and aggregate structure.

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Last Updated: Jun 16, 2026

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Quantitative and Qualitative Examination of Particle-particle Interactions Using Colloidal Probe Nanoscopy

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Area of Science:

  • Physical Chemistry
  • Materials Science
  • Chemical Engineering

Background:

  • Extractant-based aggregates are crucial for metal ion extraction and third-phase formation in liquid-liquid systems.
  • Understanding aggregate structure and dynamics is key to optimizing extraction processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the structure and dynamics of aggregates formed by Eu(NO3)3, water, and specific extractants (DMDOHEMA, DMDBTDMA) in n-alkane diluents.
  • To analyze the influence of diluent choice (n-heptane vs. n-dodecane) on aggregate organization and solvent interactions.

Main Methods:

  • Classical molecular dynamics simulations.
  • Analysis of radial distribution functions and potentials of mean force.
  • Examination of micelle organization, solvent interactions, and extractant chain orientations.

Main Results:

  • Micellar radii were similar for both extractants, but diluent penetration was greater in n-dodecane.
  • Extractant chains generally oriented around the polar core, influenced by entropy and diluent-extractant interactions.
  • Apolar regions of aggregates are dynamic, with solvent molecules readily penetrating the micelle interior.

Conclusions:

  • Aggregate structure and dynamics are governed by the interplay between extractant and diluent properties.
  • The findings challenge the conventional view of reverse micelles as rigid structures.
  • Provides molecular-level insights into factors controlling metal ion extraction and third-phase formation.