(7) Different Forms of Colloidal
SilverAt this point it is
important to mention that there are many other forms of silver,
sometimes also called colloidal, though it is questionable that such
designation is accurate. There are basically six production techniques
used in these silver preparations. An understanding is important
because although these other preparations are referred to as colloidal
silver, though in fact they are not necessarily.
There are major differences. Although there are
microscopic particles of silver present in each of these preparation
types, they are not generally as small as electrically produced
colloid. Though some forms display germicidal, antibiotic, and other
effects, they are not always safe and without serious drawbacks when
used in the body. laboratory testing and the historical record show
that some forms are noted for producing adverse reactions. For
instance it is "silver salts" such as silver nitrate that are
attributed to causing the bluing of the skin. Electro-colloidal
silver, does not have the same historical bad rep, though it is often
thrown into the same category and is then guilty by association.
General Colloidal Production Techniques
Note: These are general processes used to create sols, not necessarily
colloid of silver.
1. Dissolution Chemically created colloidal dispersions using a
solvent. Solvent examples are gelatin, gum arabic, agar-agar, dextrin,
starch, soap, bentonite in water. The process usually involves soaking
and heating.
2. Mechanical This production is done using a "colloid Mill" this
method is one of the old methods used and is no longer used with
silver because the particle size is too large.
3. Electrical and Thermal The electro-colloidal process was first done
by striking an electric arc under water, though first done by
Guyton-Morveau in 1809 with gold. The use of metallic wires
precipitated into water using the Bredig apparatus was coined the
"Bredig method". Our discussion here with focus on low voltage
electrical precipitation created in recent years.
4. Oxidation-reduction This process is the formation of sols by the
use of reducing agents. This process has been used extensively to
create gold sols / gold hydrosols. but not as often with silver sols.
This process was used before colloids as a state of matter were known.
Heat and reducing agents such as phosphorus were most commonly used.
The preparation process may also involve hydrogen peroxide,
formaldehyde, hydrazine and tannin which were used to create the
hydrosol. These hydrosols were used for coloring fabric and glass and
were initially also used in hospital tests on spinal fluid.
5. Double decomposition This production method uses double
decomposition reactions to create sols. They fall into basically the
following groups: oxide, sols, sulfide sols and salt sols. Hydrolysis
focuses on pH as a focus and involves complicated chemical reactions
by creating a base causing hydrolysis that creates a salt that can be
either acid or alkaline. For example adding a small amount of a
solution of a salt to boiling water. Another example is hydrous oxide
is treated with a small amount of acid or base or of a solution of a
salt which is acidic or alkaline and is then dispersed. It is a
complicated chemical process normally used to create salts &
compounds.
6. Simple precipitation This process is a simple formula. When a
solution of substance (A) in liquid (B) is poured into liquid (C) a
sol generally arises, if (A) is insoluble in (C) and provided (B) and
(C) are capable of being mixed in all proportions. Example: Sulfur
dissolves in hydrazine hydrate forming a deep red stable solution,
when poured into water the result is a clear bright yellow dispersion
that is sensitive to carbon dioxide.
Types of Silver
Electro-colloidal (described above)
Mild silver Protein: (MSP) This process chemically infuses or binds
the silver to a protein. The parts per million vary from 20 PPM to 200
PPM and concentrated as high as 5000 PPM.
Powdered Silver: This production method was developed in Russia. It
could be described as both a thermal and electrical process. A very
high voltage is used to disintegrate" the silver, also known as water
soluble silver.
Ground Silver: This process is just like it sounds, Silver is
pulverized and ground into a fine powder. This process became obsolete
in the 1920's, because it did not create a small enough silver
particle.
Silver salts: These are silver compounds, that cannot truly be
considered colloidal silver. They are produced chemically or
electrochemically. They may posses a positive charge but are usually a
silver compound. Below are some examples of these silver compounds,
and their historical or present uses.
Silver Sulfadiazine: Bactericidal and anti fungal uses, particularly
used in burn cases.
Silver Nitrate: Disinfectant used in podiatry, and placed in infants
eyes at birth to prevent blindness. Ulcer treatment.
Silver Iodine: Disinfectant
Silver chloride: Disinfectant
Silver Lactate: Astringent & antiseptic.
Silver oxide: Previously used for chorea & epilepsy
Silver picrate: Uses, moniliasis & trichomoniasis.
Next Article:
Making Colloidal Silver
Easily, Correctly And Inexpensively
