Kolloidin

Kolloidin is a term that appears in some languages to denote a colloidal substance. In scientific usage, the word kolloid (colloid) refers to a system in which fine particles are dispersed within a continuous medium, with particle sizes typically in the range of about 1 nanometer to a few thousand nanometers. Because kolloidin is not a standardized chemical name, its exact meaning can vary by source and context, and it is often used to describe colloidal materials in general rather than a single compound.

Colloid systems can be inorganic or organic and may form sols, gels, emulsions, or suspensions. The stability of a kolloidin suspension generally depends on mechanisms that keep particles apart, such as electrostatic repulsion, steric hindrance from adsorbed polymers, or a combination of both (electrosteric stabilization). The surface chemistry of the particles and the properties of the continuous phase influence behavior like aggregation tendency, viscosity, and optical appearance.

Preparation methods for kolloidin-like systems include mechanical dispersion (grinding or milling), chemical precipitation, or emulsification, often accompanied by the addition of stabilizers such as surfactants, polymers, or electrolytes to control stability and rheology.

Key properties of colloidal systems relevant to kolloidin include the Tyndall effect (light scattering by suspended particles), Brownian motion, and sensitivity to pH, ionic strength, and temperature. Applications span coatings, ceramics, medicine, cosmetics, food, and scientific research, though the term kolloidin is less common in modern literature, with "colloid," "sol," or "gel" providing more precise descriptors.

For further context, see colloid, sol, gel, and emulsion.