Colloidal science 1

Understanding Solutions, Solvation, Solubility, and Dissolution

• A solution consists of two main components: solvent and solute.
• Dissolution is the transfer of ions or molecules from the solute into solution and is controlled by the molecular affinity between solute and solvent.
• Solvation is the interaction of a solute with the solvent, leading to the stabilization of the solute within the solution.
• Solubility is the amount of solute that can be dissolved, and it is affected by various factors such as temperature, pH, molecular structure, and particle size of the solute.
• The solubility of a compound is the amount that passes into solution when equilibrium is established between the dissolved solute and the excess solute.
• A saturated solution is produced once an equilibrium is established between the undissolved and dissolved fractions of solute.
• Like dissolves like, so polar solutes dissolve in polar solvents, and non-polar solutes dissolve in non-polar solvents.
• The dissolution process involves interfacial reaction and diffusion through the boundary layers, which is determined by Fick's Law of Diffusion.
• The rate of dissolution is determined by the rate of diffusion through the boundary layers.
• A larger surface area and increasing temperature often increase solubility and dissolution rate.
• Solutions have advantages such as uniformity of concentration and ease of manufacture but also have disadvantages such as instability of compounds in solution and poor solubility.
• Solubility is expressed in concentration by the maximum mass or volume of solute that will dissolve in a given mass or volume of solvent, at a set temperature.