zetapotentsiaali

Zetapotentsiaali, also known as zeta potential, is a measure of the electric potential at the boundary between a solid particle and a liquid medium. It is an important parameter in colloid science and surface chemistry. When a particle is dispersed in a liquid, ions in the liquid tend to accumulate around the particle's surface, forming an electrical double layer. The zetapotentsiaali represents the electrical potential of this diffuse layer, specifically at the slipping plane where the liquid adjacent to the surface moves with the particle.

The value of zetapotentsiaali is influenced by factors such as the surface charge of the particle, the concentration and type of ions in the surrounding liquid, and the pH of the medium. A higher absolute value of zetapotentsiaali generally indicates greater electrostatic repulsion between particles, which can lead to increased colloidal stability and prevent aggregation or settling. Conversely, a zetapotentsiaali close to zero suggests that particles are less electrostatically stabilized and may be more prone to aggregation.

Zetapotentsiaali is typically measured using techniques like electrophoresis, where the electrophoretic mobility of particles in an electric field is determined and then converted to zetapotentsiaali. Understanding and controlling zetapotentsiaali is crucial in various applications, including water treatment, paints and coatings, pharmaceutical formulations, and food processing, where it impacts dispersion, stability, and the overall performance of colloidal systems.