<b>Determination of surface charge density of &alpha;-alumina by acid-base titration</b>

The surface charge density (&sigma;<sub>o</sub>) of colloidal alpha alumina suspended in various 1:1 electrolytes was measured using acid-base titration. An autotitrator capable of dispensing accurately 25 plus or minus 0.1 &mu;L of titrant was used. The pH and temperature in the...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Justin W. Ntalikwa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Chemical Society of Ethiopia 2007-04-01
Series:Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Ethiopia
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.ajol.info/index.php/bcse/article/view/61391
Description
Summary:The surface charge density (&sigma;<sub>o</sub>) of colloidal alpha alumina suspended in various 1:1 electrolytes was measured using acid-base titration. An autotitrator capable of dispensing accurately 25 plus or minus 0.1 &mu;L of titrant was used. The pH and temperature in the titration cell were monitored using single junction electrodes and platinum resistance thermometers, respectively. A constant supply of nitrogen gas in the cell was used to maintain inert conditions. The whole set up was interfaced with a computer for easy data acquisition. It was observed that the material exhibits a point of zero charge (PZC), this occurred at pH of 7.8 plus or minus 0.1, 7.6 plus or minus 0.2, 8.5 plus or minus 0.1, 8.3 plus or minus 0.1 for NaCl, NaNO<sub>3</sub>, CsCl and CsNO<sub>3</sub> systems, respectively. It was also observed that below PZC, &sigma;<sub>o</sub> increases with increase in electrolyte concentration (C<sub>o</sub>) whereas above PZC, &sigma;<sub>o</sub> decreases with increase in C<sub>o</sub>. It was concluded that &sigma;<sub>o</sub> of this material is a function of pH and C<sub>o</sub> and that its polarity can be varied through zero by varying these parameters.
ISSN:1011-3924
1726-801X