TABLE13.2 Summary of the Changes in Dispersity Resulting from the Various Processes Discussed
Process Consequences Reversible? Remarks
Growth/dissolution dincreases/decreases By changing concentration
Ostwald ripening dincreases No Small particles disappear
Coalescence dincreases No Often, especially large particles grow
Aggregation dincreases In principlea ?Particles of irregular shape;Zincreases
Continuous network forms In principlea; agitation needed Yield stress results
Partial coalescence dincreases Generally not Irregular lumps form; heating?coalescence
Sedimentation Demixing By agitation Rate enhanced by increase ofd
aDepending on the colloidal interaction forces involved, alter the properties of the continuous phase: pH, ionic strength, solvent quality, dilution.