Polyelectrolytes in Solution and the Stabilization of Colloids

Polyelectrolytes are very versatile macromolecular materials that have found more and more applications in several technologies. In this article applications related to their use as (de)stabilizers for colloids are reviewed. Additionally, some theories that deal with colloid stabilization are described. Finally, the rheology of the disperser phase as well as the relationship between the rheology of the whole colloidal system and polyelectrolyte stabilization are discussed.

Keywords:

• polyelectrolyte
• colloids
• rheology
• DLVO theory

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Brazil's Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Ministério da Ciência e Tecnolo´gia (MCT), Fundação Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Banco do Nordeste, and Pró‐Reitoria de Pesquisa e Pós‐Graduação da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (PPPg‐UFRN) for financial support during the course of this work.