Steric Stabilization of Solid or Liquid Colloids

The mechanism of polymer stabilization is many-faceted. It introduces following new parameters  

The colloid is imparted a different charge, depending on the polymer. In fact, if the polymer is neutral, then the colloid may even become neutral. 

The main advantages in using polymers for colloidal stability are 

FIGURE 7.9 State of a polymer at (a) solid or (b) liquid drop. The polymer may be in three typical states tail, loop, or coil (helix-coil). 

When two colloids approach each other, the adsorbed polymers increase repulsion. 

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