QUESTION 1
[23]
(a) Colloids can be described in terms size, dispersed phase/dispersion medium, and
lyophilic or lyophobic colloids. Write briefly about this statement.
(5)
(b) Surfactants are classified according to the type of the hydrophilic group. In many
respects, the aqueous behaviour of dodecybetaine is closer to octyl poly(oxyethylene)
glycol (Triton X-100) than to hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide. Explain or
discuss this statement.
(4)
(c) Water treatment Moringa seed proteins are cationic. Arrange in increasing order of
interaction of the following surfactants with Moringa seed proteins and explain briefly
your answer:
Cetylpyridinium bromide; Polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, and; Sodium dodecyl sulphate.
Explain your answer.
(4)
(d) There is a variety of physical properties that can be used to determine the critical
micelle concentration (CMC) of a surfactant such as sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS).
On the same diagram, show the variation of the following physical quantities with SDS
concentration, showing clearly the position of the CMC:
(4)
(i)
Osmotic pressure
(ii)
Turbidity
(iii)
Surface tension
(e) Explain briefly the observed behaviours in (d) above.
(6)
QUESTION 2
[27]
(a) Define the terms solubilisation, Krafft temperature, Tx, and cloud point as used in
colloid chemistry.
(6)
(b) The cloud point for TX-100 was studied as function temperature. What would you
observe if the same experiment was done using sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)? (2)
(c) Using well-labelled schematic diagrams illustrate how (i) solubilisation varies with
surfactant concentration, and; (ii) how solubility of surfactants with temperature
indicating clearly the position Tx and critical micelle concentration.
(7)
(d) State whether the critical micelle concentration (CMC) would increase, decrease or
not change after the following changes:
(5)
(i)
Changing the surfactant from CH3(CH2)9(OCH2CH2)sOH to
CH3(CH2)7(OCH2CH2)s50H
(ii)
Increasing the temperature
(iii)
Addition of electrolyte to an ionic surfactant
(iv)
Presence of impurity when CMC is determined by surface tension
(v)
Branching of the hydrophobic part of the surfactant
2