Colloidal state

When the diameter of the particles of a substance dispersed in a solvent ranges from about 10Å to 1000Å,
the system is termed as colloidal solution.

The material with particle size in the colloidal range is said to be in colloidal state. A system with at least
one dimension of the dispersed particles in the range 10Å to 1000Å, is classed as colloidal dispersion.

TYPES OF SOLUTIONS:

1. True solution: It is a homogeneous solution which contains small solute particles dispersed
throughout a solvent. For example the solution of NaCl in water. The particle size is less than
10Å. The particles of a solute in a true solution are invisible even under microscope and its
particles can pass through ordinary filter paper as well as through animal membrane. The solute
particles in the true solution do not settle.
2. Suspension : It is a heterogeneous mixture which contains small insoluble particles. The particles
size is more than 1000Å. For example dirt particles in water. The solute particles are visible even
to the naked eye or can be seen with the help of a microscope. The solute and solvent can be
separated by ordinary filtration. The solute particles in the suspension settle under gravity.
3. Colloidal solution: It is a heterogeneous solution which contains particles of intermediate size.
For example, milk. The particles of a colloidal solution have a diameter between 10Å to 1000Å.
Such particles cannot be normally seen with naked eye. However, light reflected by them can be
seen under an ultra-microscope
4. . The particles of a colloidal solution can pass through ordinary filter paper but not through
animal membrane. The solute particles in the colloidal solution can be made settle by
centrifugation.

TYPES OF COLLOIDAL SYSTEMS:

The substance distributed as the colloidal particles is called dispersed phase.

The second continuous phase in which the colloidal particles are dispersed is called dispersion
medium. For examples for a colloidal solution of copper in water, copper particles constitute the
dispersed phase and water the dispersion medium.

A colloidal system is made of a dispersed phase and dispersion medium. The dispersed phase or
dispersion medium can be gas, liquid or solid.

Dispersed phase Dispersion medium examples

Type name
Foam gas liquid Whipped
cream,shaving cream,
soda water
Solid foam gas solid Pumice stone, ice
cream, cake
aerosol liquid gas Fog, mist, clouds
Emulsion liquid liquid Milk, oil in water
Gel liquid solid Curd, butter, cheese
Smoke solid gas Dust, soot in air
Sol solid liquid Paint, ink, AgCl in
water
Solid sol solid solid Gems, ruby glass,
alloys

LYOPHILIC AND LYOPHOBIC SOLS OR COLLOIDS:

Sol are colloidal system in which a solid is dispersed in a liquid. These can be subdivided into two
classes:

a. Lyophilic sols: Lyophilic sols are those in which the dispersed phase exhibit a definite affinity for
the medium or solvent. For examples dispersion of starch, gum and protein in water.
b. Lyophobic sols: Lyophobic sols are those in which the dispersed phase has no attraction for
medium or solvent. For examples : dispersion of gold, ferric hydroxide and sulphur in water.

CHARACTERISTICS OF LYOPHILIC AND LYOPHOBIC SOLS:

1. Ease of preparation: Lyophilic sols can be obtained by mixing the material (starch,protein) with a
suitable solvent. Lyophobic sols are not obtained by simply mixing the solid material with
solvent.
2. Charge on particles: Particles of a hydrophilic sol may have little or no charge at all.
Particles of hydrophobic sol carry +ve or –ve charge which gives them stability.
3. Solvation: Hydrophilic sol particles are generally solvated. They are surrounded by an adsorbed
layer of the dispersion medium which does not permit them to come together and coagulate.
There is no salvation of hydrophobic sol particles.
4. Viscosity : Lyophilic sols are viscous as the particle size increases due to salvation and free
medium decreases.
Viscosity of hydrophobic sol is almost the same as of the dispersion medium.
5. Precipitation : Lyophilic sols are precipitated only by high concentration of electrolytes when the
sol particles are desolvated.
Lyophobic sols are precipitated even by low concentration of electrolyte, the protective layer
being absent.
6. Reversibility: The dispersed phase of lyophilic sols when separated by coagulation or by
evaporation of the medium, can be converted into colloidal form just on mixing with the
dispersion medium. Therefore this type of sols are designated as reversible sols.
The lyophobic sols once precipitated cannot be reformed by mixing with dispersion medium.
These are called irreversible sols.
7. Tyndall effect: Lyophilic sols do not scatter light and show no Tyndall effect.
Lyophobic sols particles are large enough to exhibit Tyndall effect.
 8. Migration in electric field: Lyophilic sol particles migrate to anode or cathode or not at all, when
placed in electric field.
Lyophobic sol particles move either to anode or cathode, according as they carry negative or
positive charge.

PREPARATION OF SOLS:

Lyophilic sols may be prepared by simply warming the solid with the liquid dispersion medium eg. Starch
with water. On the other hand, lyophobic sols have to be prepared by special methods.

A. DISPERSION METHOD:
In this method, bigger particles are broken down to colloidal size. The particles so obtained
remain in the dispersed state for some time and have a tendency to reform bigger particles. Some
dispersion methods are as below:
a. MECHANICAL DISPERSION: The solid along with the liquid dispersion medium is fed into a
colloid mill. The mill consists of two steel plates nearly touching each other and rotating in
opposite direction with high speed. The solid particles are ground down to colloidal size and are
then dispersed in the liquid to give the sol. Colloidal graphite (a lubricant) and printing ink are
made by this method.

b. Bredig’s Arc method: It is used for preparing hydrosols of metals such as silver, gold, platinum.
An arc is struck between the two metal electrodes held close together beneath de-ionized. The
water is kept cold by immersing the container in ice/water bath and trace of alkali KOH is added.
The intense heat of spark across the electrodes vaporizes some of metal and the vapour condenses
under water. Thus the atoms of metal present in vapour aggregate to form colloidal particles in
water.
c. PEPTIZATION:
Some freshly precipitated ionic solids are dispersed into colloidal solution in water by addition of
small quantities of electrolytes, particularly those containing a common ion. The precipitate
adsorbs the common ions and electrically charged particles then split from the precipitate as
colloidal particles.
The dispersal of a precipitated material into colloidal solution by action of an electrolyte in
solution is termed as peptization. The electrolyte used is called a peptizing agent. Peptizing is
reverse of coagulation of sol.
For examples:
Silver chloride, AgCl can be converted into a sol by adding HCl (Cl- being common ion)
Ferric hydroxide, Fe(OH)3, yield a sol by adding FeCl3(Fe3+) being common ion)
𝐹𝑒(𝑂𝐻)3 + 𝐹𝑒 3+ → 𝐹𝑒(𝑂𝐻)3 𝐹𝑒 3+
B. AGGREGATION METHODS:
This method consists of chemical reaction or change of solvent whereby the atoms or molecules
of the dispersed phase appearing first, aggregate to form colloidal particles. The unwanted ions
(spectator ions) present in the sol are removed by dialysis as these ions may eventually coagulate
the sol. Some method is as below:
a. DOUBLE DECOMPOSITION: An arsenic sulphide (As2S3) sol is prepared by passing a slow
stream of H2S gas through a cold solution of arsenious oxide(As2O3). This is continued till the
yellow color of the sols attain maximum intensity.
𝐴𝑠2 𝑂3 + 𝐻2 𝑆 → 𝐴𝑠2 𝑆3 (𝑠𝑜𝑙) + 3𝐻2 𝑂
Yellow
Excess of H2S is removed by passing in a stream of hydrogen.
b. REDUCTION: Silver sols and gold sols can be obtained by treating dilute solution of AgNO3 or
gold chloride with organic agent like tannic acid or methanol.
𝐴𝑔𝑁𝑂3 + 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑖𝑐 𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑 → 𝐴𝑔 𝑠𝑜𝑙
𝐴𝑢𝐶𝑙3 + 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑖𝑐 𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑 → 𝐴𝑢 𝑠𝑜𝑙
c. OXIDATION: A sol of Sulphur is produced by passing H2S into a solution of SO2.
2𝐻2 𝑆 + 𝑆𝑂2 → 2𝐻2 𝑂 + 𝑆
d. HYDROLYSIS: Sols of hydroxides of iron, chromium and aluminum are readily prepared by
hydrolysis of salts of respective metals. In order to obtain a red sol of Fe(OH)3, a few ml of 30%
FeCl3 solution is added to a large volume of almost boiling water and stirred with a glass rod.
𝐹𝑒𝐶𝑙3 + 3𝐻2 𝑂 → 𝐹𝑒(𝑂𝐻)3 + 𝐻𝐶𝑙
 Red sol
e. CHANGE OF SOLVENT: When a solution of Sulphur or resin in ethanol is added to an excess of
water, the Sulphur or resin sol is formed resulting to decrease in solubility. The substance is
present in molecular state in ethanol but on transference to water, the molecules precipitate out to
form colloidal particles.

PURIFICATION OF SOLS:

The colloidal solution prepared by any of the above method contain impurities. To obtain the pure
colloidal solution, these impurities have to be removed. The purification of colloidal solution can be
done by either of the following methods:

1. DIALYSIS: The purification of colloidal solution by this method is based on the inability of the
sol particles to pass through an animal membrane or a parchment paper which allows only the
molecules or ions to pass through. The vessel in which dialysis is carried out is known as
dialyzer. A dialyzer consists of a special type of vessel opened at both ends. To the lower end a
membrane is stretched. This membrane allows only the solvent and other molecules to pass
through it but is impermeable to the to the colloidal particles. The dialyzer is then suspended in a
large vessel containing pure distilled water. The distilled water is periodically renewed by
allowing water to flow into the large vessel and removing it. The impurities diffuse in the water
through membrane while the colloid remain in bag.
The process of removing ions or molecules from a sol by dialysis through a permeable membrane
is called dialysis.

USE OF DIALYSIS

It is used in medical purpose for the purification of blood for kidney failure persons. One of the
most important application of dialysis is the purification of blood in artificial kidney. In artificial
kidney, excess of ions and waste product of small size pass through the dialysis membrane while
particles of colloidal dimension such as haemoglobin do not pass through the membrane.
2. ELECTRODIALYSIS: In this process, dialysis is carried under the influence of electric field.
Potential is applied between the metal screen supporting the membranes. This speeds up the
 migration of ions to the opposite electrode. Electrodialysis is not meant for removal of non
electrolytes like sugar and urea.
The ions while diffuse through the colloidal solution into water, migrate to the corresponding
electrodes. This process is called electrodialysis.

3. ULTRAFILTRATION: The separation of the sol particles from liquid medium and electrolytes by
filtration through ultrafilter is called ultrafiltration.
Ordinary filter paper has pore larger than 2000Å, so that colloidal particles having a small size
can pass through them. But if the pores are made smaller, then the colloidal particles may be
retained on the filter paper. In ultrafiltration special type of filter papers known as ultra filters are
used, which are effective throughout the range of colloidal.
Ultrafiltration is a slow process. Gas pressure has to be applied to speed it up. The colloidal
particles are left on the ultrafilter in the form of slime. The slime may be stirred into fresh
medium to get back the pure sol.

PROPERTIES OF COLLOIDAL SOLUTION:

1. OPTICAL PROPERTIES:
When a strong beam of light is passed through a sol and viewed at right angles, the path of light
shows up as a beam. This is due to the fact that sol particles absorbs light energy and then emit it
in all directions in space.

The phenomenon of the scattering of light by the sol particles is called Tyndall effect.

This can be demonstrated in the following manner: A strong beam of light is condensed by a lens.
The cell containing a colloidal solution is placed in the path of light beam. The cell has two
windows, one for the entrance of light beam and other at right angle on the top which faces the
microscope. The colloidal particles are seen as bright spots of light which move in an irregular
manner in a particular area in the shape of cone. This conical portion of sol is called Tyndall
cone.

When we compare the solute particles of lyophobic and lyophilic colloids, the particles of
lyophilic colloids are too small than of lyophobic. In lyophilic sols, the difference in the refractive
indices of the dispersed phase and dispersion medium is almost negligible and hence the Tyndall
effect is extremely low.

2. KINETIC PROPERTIES: When a sol is examined under an ultra-microscope, the

suspended particles are seen as shining specks of light. By following an individual particle, it
is observed that the particles are undergoing a constant rapid motion. It moves in a series of
short straight line paths in the medium, changing direction abruptly.
The continuous rapid zig-zag movement executed by a colloidal particle in the dispersion
medium is called Brownian movement.
 Explanation of Brownian movement

At any instant, a colloidal particle was being struck by several molecules of the dispersion
medium. The movement of the particles was caused by unequal number of molecules of the
medium striking it from opposite direction. When more molecules struck the particles on one
side than on another, the direction of movement changed.
In a suspension, the suspended particles being very large, the probability of unequal
bombardment diminishes. The force of molecules hitting the particles on one side is cancelled
by force of collision occurring on the other side. Hence, they do not exhibit Brownian
movement.
3. ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES:
(A) The sol particles carry an electric charge:
The most important property of colloidal dispersion is that all suspended particles possess
either a positive or negative charge. The mutual force of repulsion between similarly charged
particles prevent them from aggregating and settling under the action of gravity. This gives
stability to the sol.
Electrical double layer
The surface of colloidal particles acquires a positive charge by selective adsorption of a layer
of positive ions around it. This layer attracts counter ions from medium which form a second
layer of negative charges. The combination of two layers of positive and negative charges
around the sol particles was called Helmholtz double layer. Helmholtz thought that positive
charge next to the the particle surface were fixed while the layer of negative charges along
with the medium were mobile.
 According to Stern, the double layer is made of:
a. A compact layer of positive and negative charges which are fixed firmly on the particle
surface.
b. A diffuse layer of counter ions (-ve ions) diffused into the medium containing +ve ions.

Because of the distribution of charge around the particles, there is difference in potential
between the compact layer and bulk of solution across the diffuse layer. This is called zeta
potential.

The potential developed between compact and diffused layer is known as zeta potential.

B. ELECTROPHORESIS: The movement of sol particles under an applied electric potential is

called electrophoresis. If the sol particles move towards the +ve electrode, they carry a negative
charge. On the other hand , if they move towards the –ve electrode, they are positively charged.
Thus by noting the direction of movement of sol particles, we can determine whether they carry a
positive or negative charge.
The phenomenon of electrophoresis can be demonstrated by placing a layer of As2S3 sol under
two limb of a U-tube. When a potential difference of about 100 V is applied across the two Pt
electrodes dipping in deionised water, it is observed that the level of sol drops on –ve electrode
side and rises on +ve side. This shows that As2S3 sol has migrate to positive electrode, indicating
that particles are negatively charged.
 -ve charged +ve charged
Metals eg. Au, Ag, Pt 𝐹𝑒(𝑂𝐻)3
𝐴𝑠2 𝑆3 𝐴𝑙(𝑂𝐻)3
Starch Basic dyes
clay Haemoglobin

C. ELECTRO-OSMOSIS: A sol is electrically neutral. Therefore the dispersion medium carries an

equal but opposite charge to that of dispersed particles. Thus the medium will move in opposite
direction to the dispersed phase under the influence of applied electric potential. When the
dispersed phase is kept stationary, the medium is actually found to move to the electrode of
opposite sign than its own.

The movement of dispersion medium under the influence of applied potential is known as electro
osmosis.

The phenomenon of electro osmosis can be demonstrated by using a U tube in which a plug of wet clay (
-ve colloid) is fixed. The two limbs of the tube are filled with water to the same level. The Pt electrode are
immersed in water and potential applied across them. It will be observed that water level rises on cathode
side and falls on anode side. This movement of medium towards the –ve electrode shows that the charge
on medium is +ve.

PRECIPITATION OR COAGULATION OF SOL:

The stability of a lyophobic sol is due to adsorption of +ve or –ve ions by the dispersed particles. The
repulsive forces between the charged particles do not allow them to settle. If, somehow, the charge is
removed, there is nothing to keep the particles apart from each other. They aggregate or flocculate and
settle down under the action of gravity.

The flocculation and settling down of discharged sol particles is called coagulation or precipitation of sol.

The coagulation of a given sol can be brought about by following ways:

a. By addition of electrolytes: when excess of an electrolyte is added to a sol, the dispersed particles
are precipitated. The electrolyte furnished both +ve and –ve ions in the medium. The sol particles
adsorb the oppositely charged ions and get discharged. The electrically neutral particles then
aggregate and settle down as precipitate.
A negative ion causes the precipitation of positively charged sol and vice versa. The effectiveness
of an anion or cation to precipitate a sol, will naturally depend on the magnitude of charge or the
valence of effective ion. From a study of precipitating action of various electrolyte on a particular
sol, Hardy and Schulze gave a general rule.
Hardy and Schulze rule state that,” the precipitating effect of an ion on dispersed phase of
opposite charge increases with the valence of ions.”
The higher the valency of effective ion, the greater its precipitating power. Thus for precipitating
an 𝐴𝑠2 𝑆3 sol(negative), the precipitating power of 𝐴𝑙 3+ , 𝐵𝑎2+ , 𝑁𝑎+ ions is in the order 𝐴𝑙 3+ >
𝐵𝑎2+ > 𝑁𝑎+
Similarly for precipitating 𝐹𝑒(𝑂𝐻)3 sol(+ve), the precipitating power of[𝐹𝑒(𝐶𝑁)6 ]3− , 𝑆𝑂42− , 𝐶𝑙 −
is in the order [𝐹𝑒(𝐶𝑁)6 ]3− > 𝑆𝑂42− > 𝐶𝑙 −
The minimum concentration in millimole per litre of electrolyte required to cause the
precipitation of a sol in 2 hours is called flocculation value. The smaller the flocculation value the
higher the precipitating power of an ion.
b. By electrophoresis: In electrophoresis, the charged sol particles migrate to the electrode of
opposite sign. As they come in contact with electrode, the particles are discharged and
precipitated.
c. By mixing two oppositely charge sols: the mutual coagulation of two sols of opposite charge can
be effected by mixing them. The positive particles of one sol are attracted by negative particles of
other sol. This is followed by mutual adsorption and precipitation of both the sols.
d. By boiling: sols such as sulphur and silver halide dispersed in water, may be coagulated by
boiling. Increased collision between the sol particles and water molecules remove the adsorbed
electrolyte. This takes away the charge from the particles which settle down.

PROTECTIVE ACTION OF SOLS:

 Lyophobic sols are readily precipitated by small amounts of electrolytes. However, these sols are
often stabilized by addition of lyophilic sol.

The property of lyophilic sols to prevent the precipitation of a lyophobic sol is called protection.

The lyophilic sol used to protect a lyophobic sol from precipitation is referred to as a protective
colloid.

For examples If a little gelatin (hydrophilic) is added to a gold sol(hydrophobic) , the latter is
protected. The protected gold sol is no longer precipitation on the addition of sodium chloride.

Explanation

The particles of hydrophobic sol adsorb the particles of lyophilic sol. Thus the lyophilic colloid forms
a coating around the lyophobic sol particles. The hydrophobic colloid therefore, behaves as a
hydrophilic sol and is precipitated less easily by electrolytes.

GOLD NUMBER:

The protective action of different colloids is measured in terms of gold number. The gold number is
defined as, the number of milligrams of hydrophilic colloids that will just prevent the precipitation of
10ml of a gold sol on addition of 1ml of 10 % sodium chloride solution.

The change in colour indicate the initiation of flocculation. Smaller the gold number greater is the
protective action of a lyophilic colloid. Gelatin , agar, albumin etc have low gold number and thus
have high protective powers.

EMULSIONS:

An emulsion is defined as a dispersion of finely divided liquid droplets in another liquid. In other
words, an emulsion is a dispersed system in which both dispersed phase and dispersion medium are
liquid.

Types of emulsion:

a. Oil –in – water type(O/W types)

b. Water –in – oil type(W/O types)

Examples of emulsion:

1. Milk is an emulsion of O/W type. Tiny droplets of liquid fat are dispersed in water
2. Stiff greases are emulsion of W/O type, water being dispersed in lubricating oil.

Preparation of emulsion:

The dispersal of a liquid in the form of an emulsion is called emulsification. This can be done by agitating
a small proportion of one liquid with the bulk of other. It is better accomplished by passing a mixture of
two liquid through a colloid mill known as homogenizer.
The emulsion obtained by shaking the two liquid are unstable. The droplets of dispersed phase
coalesce(join) and form a separate layer. To have a stable emulsion, small amount of a third substance
called the emulsifier or emulsifying agent is added during preparation. The function of emulsifying agent
is to reduce the interfacial tension between two liquid forming emulsion. This is usually a soap, synthetic
detergent or a hydrophilic colloid.

Role of emulsifier:

The emulsifier concentrates at the interface and reduces surface tension on the side of one liquid which
rolls into droplets. Soap ,for example, is made of a long hydrocarbon tail(oil soluble) with a polar head
– 𝐶𝑂𝑂− 𝑁𝑎+ (𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑏𝑙𝑒). In O/W type emulsion, the tail is pegged into the oil droplet, while the
head extends into water. Thus the soap acts as go- between and the emulsified droplets are not allowed to
join.

PROPERTIES OF EMULSION:

1. Demulsification: emulsion can be broken or demulsified to get the constituent liquids by

heating, freezing, centrifuging or by addition of appreciable amount of electrolytes. They are also
broken by destroying the emulsifying agent. For example, an oil water emulsion stabilized by
soap is broken by addition of a strong acid. The acid converts soap into insoluble free fatty acids.
2. Dilution : Emulsion can be diluted with any amount of the dispersion medium. On the other
hand, the dispersed liquid when mixed with it will at once form a separate layer. This property of
emulsions is used to detect the type of given emulsion.

GELS:

A gel is a jelly like colloidal system in which a liquid is dispersed in a solid medium. For example, when
a warm sol of gelatin is cooled. It sets to a semi solid mass which is a gel. The process of gel formation is
known as gelation.

Explanation: Gelation may be thought of as partial coagulation of a sol. The coagulating sol particles first
unite to form long thread like chains. These chains are then interlocked to form a solid frame work. The
liquid dispersion medium gets trapped in the cavities of this frame work. The resulting semi solid porous
mass has a gel structure.

TYPES OF GELS:

Gels may be classified into two types:

a. Elastic gel: Elastic gel are those which possess the property of elasticity. They change their shape
on applying force and return to original shape when the force is removed. Gelatin, agar-agar,
starch and soaps are examples of substances which form elastic gels. Elastic gel are obtained by
cooling fairly concentrated lyophilic sols. The linkages between the molecules are due to
electrical attraction and are not rigid.
b. Non – elastic gels: Non- elastic gels are those which are rigid. Example, silica gel. These are
prepared by appropriate chemical action. Thus silica gel is produced by adding concentrated HCl
to sodium silicate solution of the correct concentration. The resulting molecules of silicic acid
 polymerise to form silica gel. It has a network linked by covalent bonds which give a strong and
rigid structure.

PROPERTIES OF GELS:

1. Hydration : A completely dehydrated elastic gel can be regenerated by addition of water. But
once a non elastic gel is freed from moisture, addition of water will not bring about gelation.
2. Swelling: Partially dehydrated elastic gels imbibe water when immersed in the solvent. This
cause increase in the volume of gel and process is called swelling.
3. Syneresis: many inorganic gels on standing undergoes shrinkage which is accompanied by
exudation of solvent. This process is called syneresis.
4. Thixotropy : Some gels are semi solid when at rest but revert to liquid sol on agitation. This
reversible sol- gel transformation is referred to as thixotropy. Iron oxide and silver oxide gets
exhibit this property.

ASSOCIATED COLLOIDS:

The molecules of substances as soaps and artificial detergents are smaller than the colloidal particles.
However, in concentrated solutions these molecules form aggregates of colloidal size.

Substances whose molecules aggregate spontaneously in a given solvent to form particles of colloidal
dimensions are called associated or association colloids. The colloidal aggregates of soap or detergents
molecules formed in the solvent are referred to as micelles.
Explanation:

Soap or detergent molecule ionizes in water to form an anion and sodium ion. Thus sodium stearate
furnishes stearate anion and sodium ion in aqueous solution.

𝐶17 𝐻35 𝐶𝑂𝑂− 𝑁𝑎+ → 𝐶17 𝐻35 𝐶𝑂𝑂− + 𝑁𝑎+

𝑠𝑜𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑚 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑖𝑜𝑛

As many as 70 stearate ions aggregate to form a micelle of colloidal size. The stearate ion has a long
hydrocarbon chain (17-C) with a polar−𝐶𝑂𝑂− group at one end. The zig-zag hydrocarbon tail is shown by
a wavy line and the polar head by a hollow circle. In the micelle formation, the tails being insoluble in
water are directed towards centre while the soluble polar head are on surface in contact with water. The
charge on the micelle due to polar head accounts for stability of particles.

CLEANSING ACTION OF SOAP AND DETERGENT

The cleansing action of soap may be due to

1. Solubilisation of grease into micelle

2. Emulsification of grease

Solubilisation: In relatively strong solution the soap anions spontaneously form a micelle. The
hydrocarbon tails are in the interior of micelle and 𝐶𝑂𝑂− ions on the surface. The grease stain is thus
absorbed into interior of micelle which behaves like liquid hydrocarbon. As the stain is detached from
fabric, the dirt particles sticking to the stain are also removed.

Emulsification : When soap solution is added to a fabric, the tails of soap anions are pegged into the
grease stain. The polar head protrude from the grease surface and form a charged layer around it. Thus by
mutual repulsion the grease droplets are suspended in water. The emulsified grease stains are washed
away with soap solution.

CRITICAL MICELLIZATION CONCENTRATION(CMC)

The initial concentration at which the micelles appear is designated as CMC. Below the CMC, the oleate
ions exist in solution as individual entities, but above CMC they are associated into micelles of a size
sufficient to be classified as colloids.