Question

What are lyophilic and lyophobic sols? Give one example of each type. Why are hydrophobic sols easily coagulated?

Answer 1

(i) Lyophilic sols:

Colloidal sols that are formed by mixing substances such as gum, gelatin, starch, etc. with a suitable liquid (dispersion medium) are called lyophilic sols. These sols are reversible in nature i.e., if two constituents of the sol are separated by any means (such as evaporation), then the sol can be prepared again by simply mixing the dispersion medium with the dispersion phase and shaking the mixture.

(ii) Lyophobic sols:

When substances such as metals and their sulphides etc. are mixed with the dispersion medium, they do not form colloidal sols. Their colloidal sols can be prepared only by special methods. Such sols are called lyophobic sols. These sols are irreversible in nature. For example: sols of metals.

Now, the stability of hydrophilic sols depends on two things- the presence of a charge and the salvation of colloidal particles. On the other hand, the stability of hydrophobic sols is only because of the presence of a charge. Therefore, the latter are much less stable than the former. If the charge of hydrophobic sols is removed (by addition of electrolytes), then the particles present in them come closer and form aggregates, leading to precipitation.

Answer 2

Lyophillic colloids (solvent loving) are those substances that directly pass into the colloidal state when brought- in contact with the solvent, e.g., proteins, starch, rubber, etc.
These sols are quite stable because of the strong attractive forces between the particles of disperse phase and the dispersion medium.

Lyophobic colloids (solvent hating) are those substances that do not form the colloidal sol readily when mixed with the dispersion medium.These sols are less stable than the lyophilic sols. Examples of lyophobic sols include sols of metals and their insoluble compounds like sulphides and hydroxides.
The stability of hydrophobic sol is only due to the presence of charge on the colloidal parties. If charge is removed, e.g., by addition of suitable electrolytes, the particles will come nearer to each other to form aggregate, i.e., they will coagulate and settle down. On the other hand, the stability of hydrophilic sol is due to charge as well as solvation of the colloidal particles. Thuf, for coagulation to occur easily both the mentioned factors have to be removed.