Experiment No: 7

Experiment Name: Measurement of zeta potential using Zeta potential

analyzer

I. Aim: To determine the zeta potential value of (sample name)

II. Procedure
Steps for Analysis:

Step 1: Switch ON sequence

Turn on the Power button of the PC and instrument (at least 30 minutes prior to analysis for
laser stabilization)

Step 2: Security login details

Click Add New to enter the details in the Log book database

Step 3: Setting up the SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) using DelsaNano software

Open DelsaNano and select Zeta SOP Designer on the SOP designer tool bar

Select common to enable New for new SOP listing

Click New in the SOP listing and enter SOP name

Go to Measurement parameters select New and enter the SOP name given in the SOP listing

Select the newly created SOP and right click for Add to SOP

Go to Analysis parameters select New and enter the SOP name given in the SOP listing
• Conversion equation: Smoluchowski or Huckel (depends on the diluent)

Select the newly created SOP and right click for Add to SOP

Go to Cell parameters select New and enter the SOP name given in the SOP listing

Select the newly created SOP and right click for Add to SOP

Go to Diluent properties select New and enter the SOP name given in the SOP listing
 Diluent name: Water (For others select from the Diluent list)

Select the newly created SOP and right click for Add to SOP

Select the SOP of interest in the SOP listing and right click it, select Add to Measuring

Check the SOP of interest included in the measurement screen ,delete the other SOP’s in the
measurement screen

Select SOP preview to recheck the parameter settings

Step 4: Loading of sample

Select the appropriate cell for zeta potential analysis
1. Size Cell – Only for particle size
2.Flow cell – For Zeta potential and particle size analysis
3. Solid cell – For analysis of zeta potential of Solid samples (thin film, paste)

Remove the two sealing rubbers placed at the top of the cell

Rinse the sampling cell for three times with deionized water to make it clean

Load the sample solution in the cell ( supplied sample) in the Flow cell

Check the cell after the addition of sample solution, confirm that there are no bubbles in the inner
side of the cell

Close the sampling cell with the sealing rubbers

Wipe off water drops around the glass cell with tissue paper.

Now keep the Sample cell in the instrument by gentle press and close the lid slowly.(A notch
will be there at the bottom of the right-hand side of sampling cell, make sure that the notch should
be placed in the right position or not).

Step 5: To start the Analysis

Click Data acquisition and check for the intensity

Click Start button on the Measurement screen, enter sample details and click Ok to proceed

Step 6: For collection of results

Select Zeta analysis option and tick the results file having the sample name of interest

Select Open File Print preview required plots Save

Step7: Switch OFF sequence

Close the Delsa software, Power off the instrument and PC

III. Results and analysis

1. Instrument name (make and model) :
2. Sample name :
3. Sample amount:
4. Dispersant volume :
5. Sonication time:
6. pH and temperature:

Observations:
Zeta potential value: mV
Surface charge:

IV. Precautions to be taken

1. Do not use devices that communicate with radio waves near this equipment
2. Don’t touch the optical surfaces of the glass cell
3. Check for spills and debris in the sample compartment.
4. Avoid tilting, vibrating, or striking the equipment (even during transport), and maintain in a
steady state.
5. Don’t open the lid while doing the analysis to avoid the laser exposure
6. Store in a location free from extreme fluctuations in air pressure.
7. Store in a dry location.

V. Example analysis
Aim : determination of zeta potential value TiO2
Results:
1. Sample name : TiO2
2. Sample amount: 0.005 g
3. Dispersant volume : 50 ml (water)
4. Sonication time: 15 min

Observations:
Zeta potential value of 6.90 mV is obtained for TiO2 at 25°C (pH 6.4).
It indicates that the surface charge of the TiO2 is more positive.