Electrokinetic phenomena streaming potential

It has already been noted that there is a close similarity between electroosmosis and streaming potential. Therefore we consider this additional electrokinetic phenomenon next. 

It may be appreciated that electrokinetic phenomena are determined by electric properties at the plane of shear rather than at the real surface. In the following sections of this chapter, the relation between the measured property and is further analyzed. This is done for electroosmosis, electrophoresis, streaming current, and streaming potential. The sedimentation potential will not be discussed any further, because in practice this phenomenon does not play an important role. The electrokinetic charge density may then be derived from using the theory for the diffuse electrical double layer. 

Electro-osmosis is another electrokinetic phenomenon-in which an electric field is applied across a charged porous membrane or a slit of two charged nonporous membranes (see figure IV - 31). Due to the applied potential difference an electric current will flow and water molecules will flow with the ions (electro-osmotic flow) generating a pressure difference. As can be derived from nonequilibrium thermodynamics (sec chapter V) the following equation can be obtained indicating that both phenomena, electro-osmose and streaming potential, are similar... 

Hi) By streaming potential A third type of electrokinetic phenomenon observed is the development of a streaming or flow potential when a hquid like water is forced to flow through a Uiss capillary. A potential develops on either side of the capillary at its two ends (see figure 3.10). 

If the electric field E is applied to a system of colloidal particles in a closed cuvette where no streaming of the liquid can occur, the particles will move with velocity v. This phenomenon is termed electrophoresis. The force acting on a spherical colloidal particle with radius r in the electric field E is 4jrerE02 (for simplicity, the potential in the diffuse electric layer is identified with the electrokinetic potential). The resistance of the medium is given by the Stokes equation (2.6.2) and equals 6jtr]r. At a steady state of motion these two forces are equal and, to a first approximation, the electrophoretic mobility v/E is... 

The four possible types of electrokinetic phenomena are streaming (current) potential (electric potential generated by fluid movement relative to another phase), sedimentation potential or Dorn phenomenon or Dom effect (due to dispersed particles motion relative to the fluid caused by sedimentation) and electrophoresis and electro-osmosis (movement of two phases is caused by an external potential difference). 

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