Interaction of nonionic dextrans with silver bromide hydrosols

Abstract

The effects of nonionic dextrans of different molecular weights on the stability of silver bromide solsin statu nascendi in aqueous solutions and watermethanol mixtures have been studied. Regardless of the molecular weight of the polymer no flocculation of the sol is observed. In the presence of indifferent electrolytes sols are destabilized over a given concentration range of the polymer, which depends little on the molecular weight of the latter. The concentration of the electrolytes required to cause destabilization in the presence of dextrans depends on the counterion charge (theSchulze-Hardy rule) but in each case the critical coagulation concentration is lower for the same sol than in the absence of the polymers. At still higher dextran concentrations the sols are protected toward electrolytes. In the presence of methanol more polymer and less electrolyte is needed to destabilize the sol. An explanation of these effects is offered.