title: An induced current method for measuring zeta potential of electrolyte solution-air interface.
abstract: This paper reports a novel and very simple method for measuring the zeta potential of electrolyte solution-air interface. When a measuring electrode contacts the electrolyte solution-air interface, an electrical current will be generated due to the potential difference between the electrode-air surface and the electrolyte solution-air interface. The amplitude of the measured electric signal is linearly proportional to this potential difference; and depends only on the zeta potential at the electrolyte solution-air interface, regardless of the types and concentrations of the electrolyte. A correlation between the zeta potential and the measured voltage signal is obtained based on the experimental data. Using this equation, the zeta potential of any electrolyte solution-air interface can be evaluated quickly and easily by inserting an electrode through the electrolyte solution-air interface and measuring the electrical signal amplitude. This method was verified by comparing the obtained results of NaCl, MgCl2 and CaCl2 solutions of different pH values and concentrations with the zeta potential data reported in the published journal papers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Marine Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China.
authors.forename: Yongxin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of Marine Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China.
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: College of Information Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China.
authors.forename: Junsheng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada.
authors.forename: Xudong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Marine Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China.
authors.forename: Xinxiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Systems Biology, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China. Electronic address: yqsun@dlmu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Yeqing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada. Electronic address: dongqing.li@uwaterloo.ca.
authors.forename: Dongqing
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000388:Air; D002122:Calcium Chloride / Q000032:analysis*; D004560:Electricity; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques; D004566:Electrodes; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D015636:Magnesium Chloride / Q000032:analysis*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000032:analysis*; D012996:Solutions; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes; D012996:Solutions; D015636:Magnesium Chloride; D014867:Water; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D002122:Calcium Chloride
keywords: Electrolyte solution–air interface; Electrostatic induction; Zeta potential measurement