The Role of Valence in the Electrocoagulation of Colloids

W. Ostwald. Über die Rolle der Wertigkeit bei der Elektrolytkoagulation besonders der Suspensoide. Kolloid-Zeitschrift, Vol. 26, January 1920.

Valence, from the point of view of electronic theory, is determined by peripheral electrons. This provides a simple explanation of the significance of valence for a whole series of physical and chemical processes.

If the coagulation of a colloid is caused by the adsorption of ions on the granules of a colloidal solution, then an increase in the valence of the ion should, other conditions being equal, accelerate coagulation. Ostwald subjects the available experimental material to a detailed critical analysis and comes to the conclusion that a definite, consistently observed effect of accelerated adsorption and coagulation with increasing valence is not observed. As a rule, increased valence is accompanied by accelerated coagulation, but only roughly (there are a number of exceptions). One must suppose that secondary processes (the formation of a shell around the ions, changes in viscosity, etc.) mask the influence of valence.

B. Ilyin.