Question

Define peptisation and give examples?

Answer 1

Peptization:

• The conversion of precipitate into colloidal solution by adding a suitable peptizing agent, is called peptization.
• The peptizing agent is a stabilizing agent and they are basically electrolytes.
• For example, when the ferric chloride solution is added to the precipitate of ferric hydroxide, the hydroxide precipitate transfer to the sol by absorbing ferric ions.
• In simple words, Fe³⁺ is absorbed on Fe(OH)₃ and splits into colloids.
• Ions either (+ve or –ve) of the peptizing agent (electrolyte)are adsorbed on the particles of the precipitate. They repel and hit each other breaking the particles of the precipitate into colloidal size.