Physical aspects - Prior knowledge - Interactions - Effect of pH and salt on electrostatic repulsion

3 important questions on Physical aspects - Prior knowledge - Interactions - Effect of pH and salt on electrostatic repulsion

The formula for the electrostatic repulsive force consist of 2 parts:

  • First part related to the wall potential --> charge density of particles --> depends on pH
    • close to pI --> low charge, weak repulsion
    • far from pI --> high charge, strong repulsion
  • Second part related to kappa --> double layer --> depends on salt concentration
    • when the salt concentration increases, kappa increases and electrostatic repulsive force decreases

How does the salt concentration influence the electrostatic repulsion?

Salt concentration increases --> charges are screened --> double layer gets smaller --> interaction potential decreases, decrease in electrostatic repulsion

When are particles close to each other and when is there a large distance?

Close:
  • Low charge (pH = pI)
  • High salt content (small Double layer)
  • Low repulsion
  • Decrease interaction potential


Large distance:
  • High charge (pH >/< pI)
  • Low salt content
  • High repulsion

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