Kinetics of phase separation in colloids

We consider an initial stage of the origination of aggregates in a colloid made metastable by either a sudden drop in its temperature or a shift of its concentration, when emerging nuclei are still not large enough to affect colloid properties appreciably. Although the theory is developed along the lines specific to those of nucleation in molecular systems, there are some essential distinctions. Expressions for the critical nucleus size, for the growth rate of a supercritical particulate aggregate and for the frequency of nucleation are presented. They are discussed in connection with the aggregation in ferrocolloids.