What substances can be used to neutralize the electrical charge of colloidal particles?

Coagulants are substances that can neutralize the electrical charge of colloidal particles, facilitating the aggregation of these particles into larger flocs. Colloidal particles are typically negatively charged, which can prevent them from coming together and settling out of a solution. When coagulants are added, they provide positively charged ions that neutralize the negative charges on the colloidal particles, allowing them to clump together. This process is vital in water treatment, where the removal of suspended solids is necessary for improving water quality.

In contrast, flocculants generally help with the agglomeration of particles once they have been coagulated but do not primarily neutralize the charges that keep the particles suspended. Stabilizers serve to keep colloids dispersed by preventing them from coagulating, which is the opposite of what is desired for neutralization. Anticoagulants, often used in medical applications, prevent the clotting of blood and are not relevant in the context of water treatment and colloidal particle management.