The properties may depend on thermal energy and interactions with solvents and other particles. They are widespread in both nature and as man-made materials. For example detergents, paints, many foods and pharmaceuticals are prepared as colloidal dispersions. The surface energy of particles and self-assembly of molecules are related and so the study of colloids is also associated with investigation of adsorption and interfaces.
Polymers are large molecules used in a wide variety of materials.
They frequently form components of colloidal dispersions. The links below provide information about the work of the Colloids, Polymers and Interfaces Group at the Department of Chemistry, King's College London. You can find out who we are and there is some background information on polymers, colloids, interfaces and scattering. A description of our research facilities and resources available to others can be found from the links below. We are particularly involved in scattering and reflection studies and have made some data analysis programs available for others to use.