Kolloidsetele

Kolloidsetele is a term used in some Finnish-language sources to refer to colloidal elements or particles that form stable suspensions in a medium. In colloidal science, such elements are typically in the size range from about 1 nanometer up to the low micrometer scale; many practical colloids are smaller than 100 nanometers. Kolloidsetele can be solid particles, droplets, or aggregates dispersed in a continuous phase such as water or an organic solvent. The stability of these suspensions depends on interparticle forces, surface charges, and possible steric stabilization by adsorbed molecules or polymers.

A key characteristic of kolloidsetele is their stability against sedimentation and crystallization under suitable conditions. Light scattering, the Tyndall effect, and Brownian motion are important phenomena in their behavior. Surface chemistry, including zeta potential and adsorption of surfactants or polymers, plays a central role in preventing aggregation and controlling interactions with the surrounding medium.

Production and stabilization methods include chemical precipitation, emulsification, sol-gel processes, milling, and other physical or chemical routes. Surface modification with charged or polymeric ligands is common to tailor compatibility with a matrix or application.

Applications span catalysis, drug delivery and cosmetic formulations, paints and coatings, inks, sensors, and environmental remediation. Characterization typically involves dynamic light scattering, electron microscopy, zeta potential measurements, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Challenges include controlling aggregation, Ostwald ripening, and stability across pH and ionic strength, as well as safety and environmental considerations for specific materials. See also Colloid, nanoparticle, zeta potential, and DLVO theory.