Zeta potential colloidal system

Electroultrafiltration (EUF) combines forced-flow electrophoresis (see Electroseparations,electrophoresis) with ultrafiltration to control or eliminate the gel-polarization layer (45—47). Suspended colloidal particles have electrophoretic mobilities measured by a zeta potential (see Colloids Elotation). Most naturally occurring suspensoids (eg, clay, PVC latex, and biological systems), emulsions, and protein solutes are negatively charged. Placing an electric field across an ultrafiltration membrane faciUtates transport of retained species away from the membrane surface. Thus, the retention of partially rejected solutes can be dramatically improved (see Electrodialysis). 

In such systems the requirement of the electrostatic contribution to colloidal stability is quite different than when no steric barrier is present. In the latter case an energy barrier of about 30 kT is desirable, with a Debye length 1/k of not more than 1000 X. This is attainable in non-aqueous systems (5), but not by most dispersants. However when the steric barrier is present, the only requirement for the electrostatic repulsion is to eliminate the secondary minimum and this is easily achieved with zeta-potentials far below those required to operate entirely by the electrostatic mechanism. 

In various kinds of industrial production, materials need to be treated with charged colloidal particles. In such systems, the value of the zeta-potential analyses are needed to control production. For example, in paper, adhesive, and synthetic plastics, colloidal clay can be used as filler. In oil drilling, clay colloidal suspensions are used. The zeta potential is controlled so as to avoid clogging the pumping process in the oil well. It has been found that, for instance, the viscosity of a clay suspension shows a minimum when the zeta potential is changed (with the help of pH from 1 to 7) from 15 to 35 mV. Similar observations have been reported in coal slurry viscosity. The viscosity was controlled by the zeta potential. 

In the quantitative sections of this chapter the primary emphasis has been on establishing the relationship between the electrophoretic properties of the system and the zeta potential. We saw in Chapter 11 that potential is a particularly useful quantity for the characterization of lyophobic colloids. In this context, then, the f potential is a valuable property to measure for a lyophobic colloid. For lyophilic colloids such as proteins, on the other hand, the charge of the particle is a more useful way to describe the molecule. In this section we consider briefly what information may be obtained about the charge of a particle from electrophoresis measurements. 

The results of additional experiments conducted with 85Sr and 137Cs spikes are shown in Figure 4. The well known sorption characteristics of bentonite for Sr and Cs ions is apparent (7). The sorption properties of bentonite are reduced at low pH, which is consistent with an electrostatic concept. 137Cs sorption on the iron silicate colloids is considerably less than that observed with bentonite, even though the colloid zeta potentials are similar, which suggests that mechanisms other than simple electrostatic concepts may be involved. Also, the linear trend of data for Sr in iron silicate systems is considered to represent precipitation rather than sorption. 

The potential in the diffuse layer decreases exponentially with the distance to zero (from the Stem plane). The potential changes are affected by the characteristics of the diffuse layer and particularly by the type and number of ions in the bulk solution. In many systems, the electrical double layer originates from the adsorption of potential-determining ions such as surface-active ions. The addition of an inert electrolyte decreases the thickness of the electrical double layer (i.e., compressing the double layer) and thus the potential decays to zero in a short distance. As the surface potential remains constant upon addition of an inert electrolyte, the zeta potential decreases. When two similarly charged particles approach each other, the two particles are repelled due to their electrostatic interactions. The increase in the electrolyte concentration in a bulk solution helps to lower this repulsive interaction. This principle is widely used to destabilize many colloidal systems. 

Temperature- and pH-sensitive core-shell microgels consisting of a PNIPAAm core crosslinked with BIS and a polyvinylamine (PVAm) shell were synthesized by graft copolymerization in the absence of surfactant and stabilizer [106] The core-shell morphology of the microgels was confirmed by TEM and zeta-potential measurements. Other examples of core-shell microgel systems are PNIPAAm-g-P(NIPAM-co-styrene) colloids [107] or PS(core)-g-PNIPAAm (shell) particles [108],... 

The Nemst equation applies (if we neglect the activity coefficients of the ions, in keeping with PB theory) to the emf (electromotive force) of an electrochemical cell. The emf of such a cell and the surface potential of a colloidal particle are quantities of quite different kinds. It is not possible to measure colloidal particle with a potentiometer (where would we place the electrodes ), and even if we could, we have no reason to expect that it would obey the Nemst equation. We have been at pains to point out that all the experimental evidence on the n-butylam-monium vermiculite system is consistent with the surface potential being roughly constant over two decades of salt concentration. This is clearly incompatible with the Nemst equation, and so are results on the smectite clays [28], Furthermore, if the zeta potential can be related to the electrical potential difference deviations from Nemst behavior, as discussed by Hunter... 

The work of Larson et al. (62) represented the first detailed study to show agreement between AFM-derived diffuse layer potentials and ((-potentials obtained from traditional electrokinetic techniques. The AFM experimental data was satisfactorily fitted to the theory of McCormack et al. (46). The fitting parameters used, silica and alumina zeta-potentials, were independently determined for the same surfaces used in the AFM study using electrophoretic and streaming-potential measurements, respectively. This same system was later used by another research group (63). Hartley and coworkers 63 also compared dissimilar surface interactions with electrokinetic measurements, namely between a silica probe interacting with a polylysine coated mica flat (see Section III.B.). It is also possible to conduct measurements between a colloid probe and a metal or semiconductor surface whose electrochemical properties are controlled by the experimenter 164-66). In Ref. 64 Raiteri et al. studied the interactions between... 

In one and the same colloidal system, two opposite tendencies are embodied—a tendency toward a decrease in the total phase interface and enlargement of particles, and a tendency toward self-hardening due to adsorption of stabilizers—usually charged ions. Thus the stabilization of colloidal solutions is caused by the presence of electrolytes or hydration of ions, in particular of the counterions of the diffusional layer bound to the granule. All the factors that will raise the zeta-potential and increase the hydration of the micelles will enhance the stabihty of the sol. And con-... 

R. J. Hunter, Zeta Potential in Colloid Science. Principles and Applications, Academic Press (1981). (Although electrokinetics are emphasized there is also much information on the composition of double layers in disperse systems.)... 

Pen Kem System 7000 Acoustopheretic Titrator Pendse and co-workers used discrete frequencies in the development of the Acoustophoretic titrator. This instrument is based on the measurement of colloidal vibration potential arising from the motion of suspended solids relative to the suspending medium when subjected to a sound field, was the first commercial instrument capable of monitoring zeta potential of concentrated solids. 

Barratt, G. Characterization of colloidal drug carrier systems with zeta potential measurements. Pharmaceutical Technology Europe 1999, 25-32. 

The practical significance of zeta-potential measurement lies in the fact that strong empirical correlation exists between the measured zeta potential of the system and the properties of the system which are the manifestation of the electrostatic interfacial phenomenon. Since the measurement of zeta potential can be conveniently performed, it becomes an ideal parameter for use in routine testing. Zeta-potential control has been successfully applied to various technical fields involving colloidal and non-colloidal systems. 

The physical stability of a colloidal system is determined by the balance between the repulsive and attractive forces which is described quantitatively by the Deryaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory. The electrostatic repulsive force is dependent on the degree of double-layer overlap and the attractive force is provided by the van der Waals interaction the magnitude of both are a function of the separation between the particles. It has long been realized that the zeta potential is a good indicator of the magnitude of the repulsive interaction between colloidal particles. Measurement of zeta potential has therefore been commonly used to assess the stability of colloidal systems. 

Zeta-potential measurement has long been recognized as an excellent tool for characterizing colloidal systems. Its practical significance stems from the fact that... 

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