peptisation Experiment

AIM:
To prepare colloidal solution of (Fe(OH)3Fe3+)from a freshly prepared precipitate of ferric hydroxide using Ferric chloride as peptizing agent.

Apparatus Required: Beakers Test tubes Funnel Ammonium Hydroxide solution Ferric chloride solution Laser pointer

Theory: The process, which involves the conversion of freshly prepared precipitate into colloidal solution by the addition of a suitable electrolyte, is called peptization. The electrolyte added is called peptizing agent or dispersion agent. For example, if freshly prepared ferric hydroxide precipitate is treated with a small quantity of FeCl3 (electrolyte) solution, a dark reddish brown colloidal solution of Fe(OH)3 is formed. Here FeCl3 is a peptizing agent. This process is reverse of coagulation. Similarly, a colloidal solution of

Al(OH)3 is obtained when freshly precipated Al(OH)3 is treated with a small quantity of dilute HCl (acid added being insufficient to convert hydroxide completely into chloride). Procedure: Preparation of colloid: 1. A Small amount of ammonium hydroxide is reacted with small amount of ferric chloride to obtain a precipitate of ferric hydroxide. 2. A solution of ferric chloride of molar concentration is prepared.(Electrolyte) 3. The prepared solution of ferric chloride (Electrolyte) is reacted with the precipitate. 4. A dark reddish brown solution is obtained. Verification of colloidal solution: 1. A plane polarized light(red light) is passed through the solution obtained.

Observation: 1. A black brown precipitate of obtained on reacting ammonium hydroxide with ferric chloride. 2. On further addition of ferric chloride with molar concentration a reddish brown solution was observed. 3. When a plane polarized light was passed, the scattering of light was observed. Result: This shows that the obtained reddish brown solution is a colloid. Fe(OH)3 + FeCl ------ colloid particles of Fe(OH)3

Precautions: 1. Ferric chloride must be handled very quickly since it reacts with atmosphere and gets converted into liquid very quickly. 2. Excess addition of electrolyte initiates the process of coagulation.