An overview of the temperature dependence of the zeta potential of aqueous suspensions
Shiva Mohammadi-Jam, Richard Greenwood, Kristian E. Waters
Abstract
Zeta potential is a crucial parameter in colloid and surface science which reflects the electrokinetic potential at the slipping plane of particles in suspensions. Despite the broad range of interests and applications of the temperature dependence of zeta potential, the relationship between temperature and zeta potential is not entirely understood. Understanding the temperature dependence of zeta potential is essential for applications in various fields, from colloidal stability in drug delivery to flotation recovery in mineral processing. Although the concept has been around for nearly two centuries, dedicated high-temperature zeta potential measurements are a relatively recent development. Challenges have been arising due to the limitations of traditional measurement techniques at elevated temperatures and the influence of temperature on other factors affecting zeta potential. As a result, the zeta potential values of many materials at various conditions relevant to natural or desired settings are not known accurately. This review comprehensively explores the influence of temperature on zeta potential, detailing how thermal variations affect the electrokinetic properties of suspensions. The present knowledge of the temperature dependence of zeta potential and its relationship with the physicochemical characteristics of suspensions, such as pH, type and concentration of the background electrolyte, dissolved ions, surface composition, and dissolution of the particles as key points in understanding and predicting the behavior of colloidal particles in processes are discussed.