Electrophoresis system for high temperature mobility measurements of nanosize particles

The electrophoretic mobility, which reflects the zeta potential of a solid material, is an important experimental quantity providing information about the electrical double layer at the solid/liquid interface. A new high temperature electrophoresis cell was developed suitable for electrophoretic mobility measurements of dispersed nanosize particles up to 150 degrees C and 40 bars. Amorphous silica (SiO(2)) particle size standards were used to test the particle size detection limit of the new instrument at 25, 100, and 150 degrees C and several pH values. The microscopic detection of the particles was enabled by dark-field illumination, which allowed extending the previously available capabilities and provided higher accuracy of the electrophoretic mobility data. The electrophoretic mobility measurements for SiO(2) at temperatures above 100 degrees C were reported for the first time and indicated a gradual increase in particle electrophoretic response with increasing temperature. The obtained data indicated negatively charged SiO(2) surface throughout the pH and temperature ranges studied.