Question

can somebody explain in very simple words what is zeta potential? how can i measure that?
for eg i have my zinc oxide nanoparticles and want to measure their zeta potential.

Answer 1

@aaronq @chmvijay

Answer 2

@UnkleRhaukus can u help?

Answer 3

this video demonstrates how to take zeta potential, but is don't explain what zeta potential is

Answer 4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaTVG8eFf1k

Answer 5

okay thanks..:)

Answer 6

Zeta potential is the “effective” potential observed between the diffuse layer (loosely-held ions) to the stern layer (tighly-held ions on surface of the particle) and that of bulk solution. It's defined as the distance where the electric potential falls to 1/e from the surface of the particle - which is the Debye-Huckel screening length - so it's indicative of the actual radius in solution and a measure of stability in terms of particle aggregation.

This vid is pretty long but you can stop watching after like 20 mins

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbapBTUJpuY

Answer 7

thanks aaronq....i read somewhere that it also shows the electrostatic repulsion between 2 particles....is that true? i have serious doubt as to why i should calculate the zeta potential of my nanoparticles...:/

Answer 8

yes, there is a relationship between zeta potential, surface charges and thermodynamic surface potential
@abb0t @kainui

Answer 9

read the papers written by Branco Salopek et al (1992) and Adamson (1967)

Answer 10

thanks nin..:)

Answer 11

"i have serious doubt as to why i should calculate the zeta potential of my nanoparticle"

you need to characterize the stability of the particles in solution; values between \(\pm\)25 mV convey a high degree of stability because the electrostatic repulsion of the surface overcomes the van der waals forces that would, otherwise, cause aggregation.

Answer 12

ahhh i see.^o^...thanks aaronq...:D