Railsback's Some Fundamentals of Mineralogy and Geochemistry

An explanation of "point of zero charge" - Part I

"Point of zero charge" for a given mineral surface is the pH at which that surface has a net neutral charge.
H+ ions reside on surface rather than entler low-pH (H+-rich) solution, resulting in positively charged (H+-rich) surface: O2Neutral surface: H+ ions enter high-pH solution, resulting in negatively charged (H+-poor) surface: H+ ion

cation

0.2

0.1

Charge on surface (C/m2)

Neutral surface

-0.1

Plot for one mineral

Possible curve for a different mineral

-0.2 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

pH

Point of zero charge for this mineral is pH = 6.6

The significance of this kind of plot is that a given mineral surface will have positive charge at solution pH values less than the pzc and thus be a surface on which anions may adsorb. On the other hand, that mineral surface will have negative charge at solution pH values greater than the pzc and thus be a surface on which cations may adsorb. The position of the curve differs among the various minerals. See "An explanation of 'point of zero charge' - Part II" for an explanation of why at least some vary as they do.

LBR 8150PointofZeroCharge05

9/2006