Measurement and Interpretation of Electrokinetic Phenomena (IUPAC Technical Report)

TLDR

The electrokinetic potential, a property of charged interfaces, should be independent of measurement technique, but additional parameters such as excess conductivity also characterize the interfacial electrical state, and correct application of electrokinetic theories is essential. The report reviews current electrokinetics, recommends practical rules for measuring and interpreting electrokinetic data, and proposes consistency tests to validate z‑potential determinations. It discusses basic electrokinetic theories, their application ranges, and provides a detailed description of the main measurement methods, emphasizing their applicability and underlying model validity. The recommendations mainly apply to smooth, homogeneous solid particles and plugs in aqueous systems, with limited guidance for nonaqueous media and less ideal surfaces.

Abstract

Abstract In this report, the status quo and recent progress in electrokinetics are reviewed. Practical rules are recommended for performing electrokinetic measurements and interpreting their results in terms of well-defined quantities, the most familiar being the z-potential or electrokinetic potential. This potential is a property of charged interfaces, and it should be independent of the technique used for its determination. However, often the z-potential is not the only property electrokinetically characterizing the electrical state of the interfacial region; the excess conductivity of the stagnant layer is an additional parameter. The requirement to obtain the z-potential is that electrokinetic theories be correctly used and applied within their range of validity. Basic theories and their application ranges are discussed. A thorough description of the main electrokinetic methods is given; special attention is paid to their ranges of applicability as well as to the validity of the underlying theoretical models. Electrokinetic consistency tests are proposed in order to assess the validity of the z-potentials obtained. The recommendations given in the report apply mainly to smooth and homogeneous solid particles and plugs in aqueous systems; some attention is paid to nonaqueous media and less ideal surfaces.