Zeta potential titration

Zeta potential titration is a titration of heterogeneous systems, such as colloids, emulsions, etc. Solids in such systems have very high surface area. This type of titration is used to study the zeta potential of these surfaces under different conditions.

[
alumina and rutile dispersions]

Iso-electric Point

The Iso-electric point is one such property. The iso-electric point is the pH value at which the zeta potential is approximately zero. At a pH near the iso-electric point (± 2 pH units), colloids are usually unstable; the particles tend to coagulate or flocculate. Such titrations use acids or bases as titration reagents. Tables of iso-electric points for different materials are availablecitation | last=Kosmulski | first=Marek | title = Chemical properties of Material Surfaces | series = Surfactant Science Series | vol = 102) | publisher = CRC Press | year = 2001 | isbn=0824705602] . The attached figure illustrates results of such titrations for concentrated dispersions of alumina (4% v/v) and rutile (7% v/v). It is seen that iso-electric point of alumina is around pH 9.3, whereas for rutile it is around pH 4. Alumina is unstable in the pH range from 7 to 11. Rutile is unstable in the pH range from 2 to 6.

urfactants and Stabilization

Another purpose of this titration is determination of the optimum dose of surfactant for achieving stabilization or flocculation of a heterogeneous system. Examples can be found in the book by Dukhin and Goetzcitation | last=Dukhin | first=Andrei S. | last2 = Goetz | first2 = Philip J. | title = Ultrasound for Characterizing Colloids | publisher = Elsevier | year=2002 | isbn=0444511644] .

Measurement

In a zeta-potential titration, the Zeta potential is the indicator. Measurement of the zeta potntial can be performed using microelectrophoresis, or electrophoretic light scattering, or electroacoustic phenomena. The last method makes possible to perform titrations in concentrated systems, with no dilution. The book by Dukhin and Goetz provides a detailed description of such titrations.

References

External links

* [http://www.dispersion.com/ Dispersion Technology]

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