In 1924, colloidal silver received it’s first patent. The word “Colloidal” refers to a fine dispersion of silver into water that doesn’t settle or filter easily.
Colloidal silver contains pure water and nanometer sized silver particles in a colloidal suspension.
A colloid is a large, insoluble molecule that does not precipitate, measures between 1 and 100 nano meters in particle size and are dispersed into another medium. Generally a colloid will neither sink to the bottom or rise to the top of a solution. Colloids are usually suspended in solution. They are primarily large, inorganic and insoluble meaning they do not contain living organic carbon.
The majority of content is in the form of silver particles with typically 50 to 80% particles and 20 to 40% silver ions. In colloidal silver, the word “colloid” means silver particles.
True colloidal silver has the highest particle surface area. Particle surface area is the property of a colloid that translates directly to the ability of the colloid to react with its environment. It is the total surface area in square centimeters (cm2) of all the particles in on milli-litre (mL) of colloid.
The particles remain suspended in the water in colloidal silver owing to a particle charge causing an electrostatic mutual repulsion of the particles.
In silver colloids, the nanometer sized particles remain in suspension with the use of protein or other binder additives. The silver particles are evenly distributed by the mutual repulsion of the particles created by the zeta potential charge.
True colloidal silver, because of the high concentration of silver particles is not clear like water. This is due to the silver particles blocking light from passing through and therefore appearing darker in colour.
Next stop: Ionic Silver