What is dlvo theory?

DLVO theory, named after its contributors Derjaguin, Landau, Verwey, and Overbeek, is a theory in colloid science that explains the stability and interactions of colloidal particles in suspension.

According to DLVO theory, the stability of a colloidal system is determined by two main forces: the van der Waals forces and the electrostatic forces. The van der Waals forces are attractive forces that arise between all particles due to fluctuations in electron distribution, while the electrostatic forces are repulsive or attractive forces between charged particles.

DLVO theory states that when the repulsive forces (electrostatic) between particles are greater than the attractive forces (van der Waals), the particles will stay dispersed and the system is stable. Conversely, when the attractive forces are greater than the repulsive forces, the particles will come together and form aggregates, leading to instability.

DLVO theory is commonly used to explain phenomena such as flocculation, coagulation, and stability of colloidal systems. It has important applications in various fields, including food science, pharmacology, environmental science, and material science.