Physical Chemistry of Macromolecules
Basic Principles and Issues
Chapter One
INTRODUCTION
Macromolecules are closely related to colloids, and historically the two are almost
inseparable. Colloids were known first, having been recognized for over a century.
Macromolecules were recognized only after much fierce struggle among chemists
in the early 1900s. Today, we realize that while colloids and macromolecules are
different entities, many of the same laws that govern colloids also govern
macromolecules. For this reason, the study of the physical chemistry of macromolecules
often extends to the study of colloids. Although the main topic of this
book is macromolecules, we are also interested in colloids. Since colloids were
known first, we will describe them first.
1.1 COLLOIDS
When small molecules with a large surface region are dispersed in a medium to
form two phases, they are in a colloidal state and they form colloids. The two
phases are liquid-liquid, solid-liquid, and so on. This is not a true solution (i.e., not
a homogeneous mixture of solute and solvent ... read full excerpt from Physical Chemistry of Macromolecules: Basic Principles and Issues, 2nd Edition ebook
