Question

Define peptization?

Answer 1

Peptization:

• The conversion of precipitate into colloidal solution by adding a suitable electrolyte is called peptization.
• The electrolyte is a stabilizing agent and basically called a peptizing agent.
• Example: When the ferric chloride(FeCl₃) solution is added to the precipitate of ferric hydroxide(Fe(OH)₃), the hydroxide is dispersed into the colloidal solution by absorbing ferric ions.
• The ions of the electrolyte are adsorbed on the ions of the precipitate. They repel and hit each other breaking the particles of the precipitate into colloidal size.