Steric Repulsion
Definition
A physical barrier to particle approach created when adsorbed polymer chains keep particles apart, preventing agglomeration.
Dispersants create charge or steric repulsion on particle surfaces to keep particles small and mobile. This keeps particles available for filtration rather than clumping and settling. It is one of the two stabilization mechanisms (the other being charge repulsion) that dispersants exploit.
Related concepts
Part of The Blueprint of Water · 🧪 chemistry