Suspension layer stability

Particle suspension layer stability/droplet sedimentation... 

In many colloidal systems, both in practice and in model studies, soluble polymers are used to control the particle interactions and the suspension stability. Here we distinguish tliree scenarios interactions between particles bearing a grafted polymer layer, forces due to the presence of non-adsorbing polymers in solution, and finally the interactions due to adsorbing polymer chains. Although these cases are discussed separately here, in practice more than one mechanism may be in operation for a given sample. 

Suspensions of oil in water (32), such as lanolin in wool (qv) scouring effluents, are stabilized with emulsifiers to prevent the oil phase from adsorbing onto the membrane. Polymer latices and electrophoretic paint dispersions are stabilized using surface-active agents to reduce particle agglomeration in the gel-polarization layer. 

Comprehension of the interactions among microstructures composed of tethered chains is central to the understanding of many of their important properties. Their ability to impart stability against flocculation to suspensions of colloidal particles [52, 124, 125] or to induce repulsions that lead to colloidal crystallization [126] are examples of practical properties arising from interactions among tethered chains many more are conceivable but not yet realized, such as effects on adhesion, entanglement or on the assembly of new block copolymer microstructures. We will be rather brief in our treatment of interactions between tethered chains since a comprehensive review has been published recently of direct force measurements on interacting layers of tethered chains [127]. 

Many precipitates, such as Fe(OH)3, form initially as colloidal suspensions. The tiny particles are kept from settling out by Brownian motion, the motion of small particles resulting from constant bombardment by solvent molecules. The sol is further stabilized by the adsorption of ions on the surfaces of the particles. The ions attract a layer of water molecules that prevents the particles from adhering to one another. 

Hence, for two similarly charged surfaces in electrolyte, interactions are determined by both electrostatic doublelayer and van der Waals forces. The consequent phenomena have been described quantitatively by the DLVO theory [6], named after Derjaguin and Landau, and Verwey and Over-beek. The interaction energy, due to combined actions of double-layer and van der Waals forces are schematically given in Fig. 3 as a function of distance D, from which one can see that the interplay of double-layer and van der Waals forces may affect the stability of a particle suspension system. 

Colloidal suspensions stabilized by electrostatic repulsion are very sensitive to any phenomenon able to disrupt the double layer like ionic strength or thermal motion. 

Pharmaceutical scientists have developed improved suspension dosage forms to overcome problems of poor physical stability and patient-perceived discomfort attributed to some active ingredients. An important development aspect of any suspension is the ability to resuspend easily any settled particles prior to instillation in the eye and ensure that a uniform dose is delivered. It would be ideal to formulate a suspension that does not settle since the patient may not always follow the labeled instructions to shake well before using. However, this is usually not feasible or desirable since the viscosity required to retard settling of the insoluble particles completely would likely be excessive for a liquid eyedrop. The opposite extreme, of allowing complete settling between doses, usually leads to a dense layer of agglomerated particles that are difficult to resuspend. 

Enzyme electrodes belong to the family of biosensors. These also include systems with tissue sections or immobilized microorganism suspensions playing an analogous role as immobilized enzyme layers in enzyme electrodes. While the stability of enzyme electrode systems is the most difficult problem connected with their practical application, this is still more true with the bacteria and tissue electrodes. 

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