Electrokinetics of particle covered surfaces

This article reviews recent developments in the field of streaming current/potential determination for surfaces covered by particles, including polyelectrolytes and proteins. Special emphasis is focused on the new theoretical results enabling one to evaluate quantitatively the relationship between the streaming potential and surface coverage of particles. Experimental results obtained for model systems of monodisperse polymeric particles are discussed and interpreted in terms of the theoretical approach. These reference data are exploited for interpretation of more complex experimental results obtained for polyelectrolytes and proteins. A major utility of the streaming potential measurements for determination of submonolayer coverages of particles and proteins is pointed out. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.