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 °C and 40 bars. Amorphous silica (SiO2) particle size standards were used to test the particle size detection limit of the new instrument at 25, 100, and 150°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 SiO2 at temperatures above 100°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 SiO2 surface throughout the pH and temperature ranges studied.