Stability of lyophobic colloids : XVII. Role of adsorption of ions on the stability of the sols of hydrous ferric oxide in the medium of varying dielectric constant

Abstract

The adsorption of peptising and coagulating ions play an important role in defining the stability of a sol. We have investigated here the extent to which the stability of the sols of hydrous ferric oxide is affected by a change in the dielectric constant of the dispersing medium for H^+ and SO_4^2- as stabilising and precipitating ions. It has been concluded that it is not possible to explain the sensitisation or stabilisation of a sol on the views advanced by Weiser, as the adsorption of either of the ions is found to vary according to the dielectric constant values of the dispersing medium.