Mechanisms of Colloid Formation

Creaming the separation of coagulum or floes from the continuous phase, where the aggregate is less dense than that phase. (Slightly different definitions of creaming and sedimentation are presented in Chapter 11 for application in the context of emulsions.) 

Floe an aggregate of individual colloidal particles related to a coagulum but generally having a rather loose, open structure. Floes may sometimes be formed reversibly and returned to the dispersed state with minimal energy input. 

Monodisperse having all particles in the colloidal system of approximately the same size (i.e., a narrow size distribution). 

Polydisperse having a rather broad range of particle sizes. 

Sedimentation as in creaming except that the aggregates are more dense than the liquid and settle to the bottom. 

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