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mrk654-01 An Introduction To Zeta Potential v3 PDF
mrk654-01 An Introduction To Zeta Potential v3 PDF
An Introduction in 30 Minutes
2
Introduction deflocculation. Figure 1 schematically VA = -A/(12 π D )
represents some of these processes.
Zeta potential is a physical property where A is the Hamaker constant and
which is exhibited by any particle in D is the particle separation. The
suspension. It can be used to repulsive potential VR is a far more
optimize the formulations of complex function.
suspensions and emulsions.
Knowledge of the zeta potential can VR = 2 π ε a ζ2 exp(-κD)
reduce the time needed to produce where a is the particle radius, π is the
trial formulations. It is also an aid in solvent permeability, κ is a function of
predicting long-term stability.
the ionic composition and ζ is the zeta
potential.
Colloid Science
Three of the fundamental states of
matter are solids, liquids and gases. If
one of these states is finely dispersed Figure 1: Schematic diagram
in another then we have a ‘colloidal showing various mechanisms where
system’. These materials have special stability may be lost in a colloidal
properties that are of great practical dispersion
importance.
There are various examples of Colloidal Stability and
colloidal systems that include DVLO Theory
aerosols, emulsions, colloidal
suspensions and association colloids. The scientists Derjaguin, Verwey,
Landau and Overbeek developed a
In certain circumstances, the theory in the 1940s which dealt with
particles in a dispersion may adhere Figure 2(a): Schematic diagram of the
the stability of colloidal systems.
to one another and form aggregates variation of free energy with particle
DVLO theory suggests that the
of successively increasing size, which separation according to DVLO theory.
stability of a particle in solution is
may settle out under the influence of dependent upon its total potential
gravity. An initially formed aggregate energy function VT. This theory
is called a floc and the process of its recognizes that VT is the balance of DVLO theory suggests that the
formation flocculation. The floc may or several competing contributions: stability of a colloidal system is
may not sediment or phase separate. determined by the sum of these van
If the aggregate changes to a much VT = VA + VR + VS der Waals attractive (VA) and
denser form, it is said to undergo electrical double layer repulsive (VR)
VS is the potential energy due to the
coagulation. An aggregate usually forces that exist between particles as
solvent, it usually only makes a
separates out either by sedimentation they approach each other due to the
marginal contribution to the total
(if it is more dense than the medium) Brownian motion they are undergoing.
potential energy over the last few
or by creaming (if it less dense than This theory proposes that an energy
nanometers of separation. Much more
the medium). The terms flocculation barrier resulting from the repulsive
important is the balance between VA
and coagulation have often been used force prevents two particles
and VR, these are the attractive and
interchangeably. Usually coagulation approaching one another and
repulsive contributions. They
is irreversible whereas flocculation adhering together (figure 2 (a)). But if
potentially are much larger and
can be reversed by the process of the particles collide with sufficient
operate over a much larger distance
energy to overcome that barrier, the
• Steric repulsion - this involves It has long been recognised that the
polymers added to the system zeta potential is a very good index of
Figure 4(b): Origin of surface
adsorbing onto the particle the magnitude of the interaction
charge by ionisation of basic
surface and preventing the between colloidal particles and
groups to give a positively charged
particle surfaces coming into measurements of zeta potential are
surface
close contact. If enough polymer commonly used to assess the stability
of colloidal systems.