Zeta Potential Determination of Polymeric Materials Using Two Differently Designed Measuring Cells of an Electrokinetic Analyzer

The so-called zeta potential can be determined through electrokinetic measurements and indicates the status regarding surface charges along the interface between solids and liquids. Surface charge gives us information about the condition, quality, and characteristics of a macroscopic surface in the polar medium. In our study the zeta potential was determined using a “SurPASS” electrokinetic analyzer based on the streaming current and streaming potential measurements. The aim of the research was to compare the results of two differently designed measuring cells (“Adjustable Gap Cell” and “Clamping Cell”) but operating on the same principle. In order to investigate this problem, the zeta potential was determined for the three polymeric materials: poly(ethylene terephthalate) foil, thin-film polyamide composite membranes for nanofiltration and reverse osmosis. The results obtained with “Clamping Cell” versus “Adjustable Gap Cell” showed differences in zeta potential, where the “Adjustable Gap Cell” gave more reproducible results. One reason for this behaviour could be the different geometries of the streaming channels. A more likely reason is the design of the “Clamping Cell”, that requires a sample size larger than necessary for zeta potential determination.