Colloids are heterogeneous physical systems in which one phase (dispersed phase) is finely distributed within another continuous phase, with characteristic particle or domain sizes typically in the range of ~1–1000 nm. They exhibit properties dominated by interfacial phenomena, Brownian motion, and long-range interactions rather than gravitational settling. Colloidal stability is governed by a balance of van der Waals, electrostatic, steric, and depletion forces, often described by DLVO and extended theories. These systems encompass sols, gels, emulsions, foams, and aerosols, and serve as model platforms for studying phase behavior, self-assembly, rheology, and non-equilibrium dynamics in soft condensed matter physics.
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