Macromolecular Colloids

Macromolecules are very large molecules (consisting of more than 10,000 atoms) ranging between the diameter of 10-5 nm to 10-3nm. They are formed as the result of the polymerization process and are also called polymers. The smaller molecules (monomers) of elements such as carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen undergo the process of polymerization to form polymers. It is usually larger than the normal molecule. Polymers can be obtained either naturally or synthetically. Some of the examples of synthetic polymers are nylon, polyethylene, Teflon, etc. Natural polymers can be directly extracted from nature, and are water-based macromolecules. The biological macromolecules are polar. Some examples of natural macromolecules (polymers) are silk, wool, cellulose, etc. 

What are Macromolecular Colloids, exactly?

Macromolecular colloids are individual particles that are large enough to be considered colloids (diameter around 100 nm). These particles are made up of chemicals with a high molecular weight. They are also called macromolecules due to their massive molecular weight and vast dimensions.

When the individual particles of these compounds are combined with a solvent, they spread throughout the solution. A macromolecular colloid solution is what this is. This category contains the vast majority of lyophilic colloids. Lyophilic colloids are solvent-loving particles capable of forming strong interactions with the dispersion medium.

Colloids with Macromolecular Structures

Certain chemicals produce big molecules with colloid particle size. These molecules are referred to as macromolecules. Macromolecules have extremely large molecular masses.

Because macromolecules have a size that is comparable to colloidal particles, their dispersions in any suitable media behave similarly to a colloidal solution. Macromolecular colloids are colloidal fluids with a high molecular weight. The majority of lyophilic sols are macromolecular colloids. Natural macromolecules include gelatin, starch, nucleic acids, cellulose, and others. Some are made by polymerising simple molecules, such as polythene, polypropene, polyvinyl alcohol, bakelite, and so forth.

Characteristics

Some of the most important features of macromolecular colloids are as follows:

• Some macromolecules dissolve in water, resulting in homogeneous solutions.

• Macromolecule solutions behave similarly to lyophilic colloids.

• There is a lot of interaction between the solute and the solvent in macromolecular sols.

• Because of their massive size and structure, macromolecular colloids cause large departures from solutions that follow standard principles.

• The solutions of macromolecular colloids exhibit high viscosities even at very low solute concentrations.

• The increased degree of solvation of the macromolecules could explain the significant increase in viscosity.

• It could be caused by the immobilisation of solvent molecules between moving macromolecules.

• Water immobilisation can be found in gelatin, cellulose, and other protein aqueous solutions.

By adding an insoluble solution to the liquid, macromolecules can be precipitated from their sols. Molecules with a higher molecular mass separate first, followed by molecules with a lower molecular mass. Using this method, the macromolecules can be split into various fractions of varying molecular weights.

Examples of colloids

• Smog, fog and sprays are all examples of colloidal solutions.

• The dispersed phase in these colloid instances is liquid, and the dispersion medium is gas.

• Dust and smoke in the air are examples of colloid chemistry.

• The dispersed phase in these colloid instances is solid, while the medium is gas.

What is an example of a multimolecular colloidal system?

A multimolecular colloid is sulphur sol (lyophobic sols) in water. 

What are colloids ? 

Colloids are chemical mixtures that are dispersed as relatively large solid particles or liquid droplets across a solid, liquid, or gaseous medium.

The particles in a colloid are dispersed and do not settle due to gravity, and they are typically electrically charged.

Applications of colloids

Colloidal states of matter have a wide range of uses in a variety of industries. The following are some of the applications of colloids:

• Colloids are widely employed in meals and the food industry. Many of the foods we consume are colloidal in nature. Cheese, milk and other dairy products are some examples.

• Colloids have a wide range of uses in the medical area. Many of the medicines we take come in the form of emulsions. Antibiotics like penicillin and streptomycin are administered as colloidal solutions to make them easier to absorb by the human body.

• Water purification employs colloids.

• Impurities in sewage water include grit, faeces and urine are spread in the water. As a result, a colloidal system is formed. Electrophoresis can be used to remove them.

• Smoke is also a colloidal carbon particle system in the air. Electrophoresis can also be used to purify this.

• These are also used to make fake rain.

• Rubber is made by coagulating a colloidal fluid called latex.

• The process of tanning refers to the treatment of animals’ skin for the production of leather. Colloids are used in the tanning process.

• Micelles are colloids that develop during the washing action of soaps.

• In the military, colloids are utilised as smoke in smoke screens to conceal information.

• The sky’s blue tint is due to a colloidal feature that it exhibits. Sunlight is scattered by dust particles in the air.

• Colloids are used to make a variety of nanomaterials.

• In metallurgy, they are employed in froth flotation.

• These are used to treat people who are hypovolemic.

• Silver colloid is used as a germicidal agent. 

• Copper colloid, for example, is used as an anticancer medication.

• Anti-syphilis antibodies are created by using colloids.

• Proteins are colloids that may be employed in a variety of applications.

• These are used to deliver drugs to specific areas.

• Many cosmetic products contain these as cosmetic components.

• Fungicides and insecticides are also used with them.

• These are employed in a variety of body part plastic surgery procedures.

• In dentistry, they are utilised, too.

• These are also found in wound dressing products.

Conclusion

Colloidal macromolecular phenomena are a new branch of polymer chemistry.

They are connected with the distinct physical behaviour of discrete, particulate, and highly structured aggregates of hundreds or thousands of long-chain molecules with diameters roughly between those of viruses and bacteria.In other words ,Macromolecular colloids are individual particles that are large enough to be considered colloids (diameter around 100 nm). These particles are made up of chemicals with a high molecular weight

There are now two commercial products based on colloidal macromolecular phenomena (Avicel microcrystalline cellulose and Baymal colloidal alumina).