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Zeta-Meter Inc. 1
The diffuse layer can be visualized as a charged
atmosphere surrounding the colloid.
Highly Negative
Colloid
Stern Layer
2
The electrokinetic potential between the
surface of the colloid and any point in the
mass of the suspending liquid is referred
to as the surface potential.
Zeta Potential
Surface Potential
The double layer is formed in
order to neutralize the charged col- Stern Layer
Diffuse Layer loid and, in turn, causes an elec-
Ion Concentration
Zeta Potential
trokinetic potential between the
surface of the colloid and any point Diffuse Layer
in the mass of the suspending liq-
Potential
uid. This voltage difference is on
Zeta Potential
the order of millivolts and is re- (Low Concentration)
ferred to as the surface potential.
The magnitude of the surface
potential is related to the surface
Distance From Colloid charge and the thickness of the Distance From Colloid
Variation In double layer. As we leave the sur-
Ion Concentration face, the potential drops off roughly
linearly in the Stern layer and then Zeta Potential vs. Surface Potential
exponentially through the diffuse The relationship between zeta
layer, approaching zero at the potential and surface potential
imaginary boundary of the double depends on the level of ions in the
layer. The potential curve is useful solution.
because it indicates the strength of
Charge Density
Zeta-Meter Inc. 3
The DLVO theory explains the tendency of colloids
to agglomerate or remain discrete.
Attractive Energy
The DLVO Theory (named after cient kinetic energy due to their
Derjaguin, Landau, Verwey and Van der Waals
velocity and mass, to “jump over”
Overbeek) is the classical explana- Attraction this barrier. If the barrier is
tion of the stability of colloids in cleared, then the net interaction is
suspension. It looks at the balance all attractive, and as a result the
between two opposing forces — elec- particles agglomerate. This inner
trostatic repulsion and van der region is after referred to as an
Waals attraction — to explain why energy trap since the colloids can
some colloidal systems agglomer- be considered to be trapped together
ate while others do not. by van der Waals forces.
Van der Waals Attraction is shown as
a negative curve. In many cases we can alter the
Electrostatic repulsion becomes
significant when two colloids ap- environment to either increase or
Van der Waals attraction is ac- decrease the energy barrier, de-
proach each other and their double
tually the result of forces between pending upon our goals. Various
layers begin to interfere. Energy is
individual molecules in each col- methods can be used to achieve
required to overcome this repul-
loid. The effect is additive; that is, this, such as changing the ionic
sion. An electrostatic repulsion
one molecule of the first colloid has
curve is used to indicate the energy
a van der Waals attraction to each
that must be overcome if the par- Electrical
molecule in the second colloid. This Repulsion
ticles are to be forced together. It
is repeated for each molecule in the
has a maximum value when they Net Interaction
first colloid, and the total force is
Repulsive Energy
4
In many cases we can alter the environment to
either increase or decrease the energy barrier,
depending upon our goals.
Zeta-Meter Inc. 5
Adhesives Beverages
Agricultural Chemicals Biochemistry
Asbestos Biomedicine
Atomic Energy
Apparent Viscosity
+50 240 impermeable cake which prevents Apparent
Subsidence 220
Viscosity
the loss of drilling fluid. Later, the
Subsidence Time, sec
20
+40 Time
200
clay charge may be reduced to form
+30 180
160
a flocculated suspension in order 10
Zeta Potential, mV
6
Coal Dyestuffs
Dairy Products Emulsions
Detergents Fibers
Dry Powder Technology
Relative Viscosity
Relative
pharmaceutical suspension affect Viscosity well dispersed in order for the paint
+30 150
the user’s response to the product. to perform successfully. If the pig-
A successful suspension will not Zeta Potential, mV ment agglomerates, then the paint
+20 100
cake and will, therefore enjoy a will seem to have larger pigment
+10 50
long shelf life. With fine colloids particles and may fail color qual-
this can be achieved by adding a 0 0 ity. Gloss and texture are also af-
suspending agent to increase the fected by the degree of dispersion
zeta potential, and produce maxi- -10 Zeta between the particles in the paint.
Potential
mum repulsion between adjacent Zeta potential measurements can
-20
particles. This highly dispersed be used in this application to con-
system will settle very slowly, but Optimum ZP trol the composition of the paint
-30
any that do settle will pack tightly 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 and the dosage of additive required
and aggravate caking. Carrageenan, % for an optimum dispersion.
Another, and sometimes more Fluidization of an Antacid
effective, approach is to formulate Suspension
a weakly flocculated suspension. Fluidization is an alternative to
The suspended particles form light, flocculation. A negatively charged
fluffy agglomerates held together colloidal polyelectrolyte is used as a
by van der Waals forces. The floc- “fluidizing” agent. The polyelectrolyte
adsorbs onto the surfaces of insoluble
culated particles settle rapidly
particles and deflocculates them once
forming a loosely adhering mass the zeta potential exceeds the critical
with a large sediment height in- value.
stead of a cake. Gentle agitation
This graph illustrates the fluidization of
will easily resuspend the particles. an aluminum hydroxide suspension
Weak flocculation requires a zeta using carrageenan sodium as the
potential of almost zero. “fluidizing” agent. The drops in zeta
potential and viscosity of the suspen-
sion correlate quite well with each
other and are produced by an increase
in the concentration of carrageenan.
Zeta-Meter Inc. 7
Foods Petroleum
Latex Production Photographic Emulsions
Petrochemicals Pigments
Zeta Potentail, mV
Optimum
Coagulation Retention of fines and fibers can +10 ZP Zeta
Potential
Zeta potential is a convenient be increased through zeta poten- 0
way to optimize coagulant dosage tial control. This reduces the
-10
in water and wastewater treat- amount of sludge produced by the 100
Size Retained, %
-30
Due to their small size, they easily recycle systems. Zeta potential
60
escape both sedimentation and fil- measurements also assist the pa-
tration. The key to effective colloid permaker in understanding the Size 40
removal is reduction of their zeta effect of various paper ingredients Retained
potential with coagulants, such as as well as the physical characteris- 20
alum, ferric chloride and/or cati- tics of the paper particles them-
onic polymers. Once the charge is selves.
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6
reduced or eliminated, then no re- % Polyamine Resin
pulsive forces exist and gentle agi-
tation in a flocculation basin causes Synthetic Size Retention in Paper-
making
numerous successful colloid colli-
The point of maximum size retention
sions. Microflocs form and grow corresponds to a zeta potential of +4,
into visible floc particles that settle which can be considered the optimum
rapidly and filter easily. ZP. More positive or more negative
values of the zeta potential cause a
Zeta Potential Control of Alum Dose drop in the percent of size retained.
There is no single zeta potential that Operating at the optimum value results
will guarantee good coagulation for in titanium oxide savings, improved
+5 Zeta every treatment plant. It will usually be sheet formation, increased wire life,
Potential between 0 and -10 mV but the target improved sizing, pitch control, and
value is best set by test, using pilot biocide reduction.
Turbidty of Finished Water, NTU
0 0.5
plant or actual operating experience.
Zeta Potentail, mV