MONODISPERSED COLLOIDS - ART AND SCIENCE

Procedures for preparation of inorganic, organic, and mixed colloids, consisting of particles uniform in size and shape, are described. The use of such well-defined systems in the characterization of their optical, magnetic, and electrokinetic properties is illustrated. Interactions of 'monodispersed' systems with various solutes (adsorption and dissolution), with other particles (heterocoagulation), and with plane surfaces (adhesion) are discussed. A refined treatment of the electric double layer of unlike particles is described, and the experimental results are compared with the theoretical expectations.