The phenomenon of precipitation of a colloidal solution by the addition of excess of an electrolyte is called coagulation or flocculation.
The coagulation of lyophobic colloids can be carried out by the following methods:
(1) By electrophoresis: In electrophoresis, the colloidal particles move towards oppositely charged electrode. When these come in contact with the electrode for long, these are discharged and precipitated.
(2) By mixing two oppositely charged sols: When oppositely charged sols are mixed in almost equal proportions, their charges are neutralised. Both sols may be partially or completely precipitated as the mixing of ferric hydroxide (+ve sol) and arsenious sulphide (–ve sol) brings them in precipitated form. This type of coagulation is called mutual coagulation or meteral coagulation.
(3) By boiling: When a sol is boiled, the adsorbed layer is disturbed due to increased collisions with the molecules of dispersion medium. This reduces the charge on the particles and ultimately they settle down to form a precipitate.
(4) By persistent dialysis: On prolonged dialysis, the traces of electrolyte present in the sol are removed almost completely and the colloids become unstable.