Experimental methods in chemical engineering: Zeta potential

Zeta potential (ZP) is a parameter that expresses the electrochemical equilibrium between particles and liquids like in nanoparticle (NP) colloidal solutions with applications in medicine, pharmaceuticals, chemical production, mineral processing, and water and soil purification. Smoluchowski's theory applies to the ZP particles that are larger the interfacial layer but neglects surface conductivity. The Debye-Huckel theory correctly approximates the concentration of ions in a double layer but fails to account for the dependence of ZP on the concentration of counterions. Determining ZP of NPs is essential to proper NP characterization. For instance, developing well-defined therapeutic-relevant nanoformulations needs information on NPs size, surface charge, stability and agglomeration behaviour. This approach has many practical challenges, from inadequate knowledge of operating standards to sampling, data interpretation and good laboratory practice for the experiments replicability. However, in drug delivery research, very little literature can provide a clear, succinct explanation of these techniques. Looking for specific guidelines to overcome frequently encountered problems during ZP measurements. This article explores factors influencing colloidal particle stability. Measurement criteria such as applied voltage, number of measurements, electrophoretic mobility (EPM), size distribution, surface shape, temperature, viscosity, particle concentration, zeta potential, nanoparticles, colloidal suspension, electrophoretic mobility, and pH.

Automated summary

Zeta potential is a parameter expressing electrochemical equilibrium between particles and liquids, with applications in various fields. Proper characterization of nanoparticles, including information on size, surface charge, stability, and agglomeration behavior, is essential for developing therapeutic nanoformulations. Challenges in this approach include inadequate knowledge of standards, data interpretation, and laboratory practices.