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:![]() |
Based on nature of interaction between dispersed phase and dispersion medium:
- Lyophobic
- 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 |