DETERMINATION OF THE ELECTROKINETIC POTENTIAL OF MICROHETEROGENEOUS SYSTEMS FROM THE DATA OF SEDIMENTATION ANALYSIS IN THE ELECTRIC-FIELD

A method of determination of the electrokinetic potential in microhete rogeneous systems is prob posed. The method is based on the studies of the kinetics of sedimentation of dispersed particles under conditions of free (unhindered) settling in the constant electric field and in t he absence of the latter. Kaolin and ocher with the mean particle size (R) over bar equal to 9.07 x 10(6) m and 5.78 x 10(-6) m, respectivel y, were used as examples for model microheterogeneous systems. The ele ctrokinetic potentials determined by the method proposed agree adequat ely with the data on the electrophoretic velocities measured with an a utomatic measuring microscope ''Parmoquant.'' To illustrate additional ly the effectiveness of the method proposed, the zeta-potential of kao lin was estimated after reversal of the sign of the charge of the disp ersed particles.