Types of colloidal solution

Depending on dispersion medium and dispersed phase:

Dispersion medium

Dispersed phase

Type of colloid

Solid

Solid

Solid sol Ex: gem stones, glasses

Liquid

Gel Ex: cheese, butter, gelatin

Gas

Solid foam Ex: pumice stone

Liquid

Solid

Sol Ex: paints, ink, blood

Liquid

Emulsion Ex: milk, mayonnaise, hand cream

Gas

Foam Ex: whipped cream, shaving cream

Gas

Solid

Solid aerosol Ex: smoke, ice cloud, atmospheric particulate matter

Liquid

Liquid aerosol Ex: fog, hair sprays, mist, cloud

Gas

None All gases are miscible and thus do not form colloids
Examples:colloids


Based on nature of interaction between dispersed phase and dispersion medium:

  1. Lyophobic
  2. Lyophilic

1. Lyophobic:

 Liquid-hating

 Colloidal solutions in which dispersed phase has very little affinity for the dispersion medium.

 Form precipitates on adding small amounts of electrolytes

 These are less stable and irreversible in nature.

 These are also called suspensoids.

2. Lyophilic:

 Liquid loving

 Dispersed phase has great affinity for dispersion medium.

 These are stable and reversible in nature. These are also called emulsoids.

 The colloidal solutions are also named according to the dispersion phase or medium used.

Dispersion Medium

Name of Colloidal Solutions

Water

Hydrosols

Alcohol

Alcosols

Benzene

Benzosols

Air

Aerosols