What is considered an excellent zeta potential?

Zeta potential is a measure of the electrokinetic potential in a liquid, which helps indicate the stability of colloidal dispersions. In water treatment and other applications involving colloids, an excellent zeta potential is typically agreed upon to be in the range of -1 to -4 millivolts.

Values within this range indicate that the particles are sufficiently charged to remain stable and not aggregate, minimizing the risk of clumping and helping maintain effective dispersion. A zeta potential around these values suggests an optimal balance where strong enough repulsive forces prevent the particles from coming together while not being excessively charged, which could lead to different handling challenges.

This understanding is crucial in fields such as water treatment, where maintaining the correct zeta potential indicates proper coagulation, flocculation, and overall effectiveness in ensuring water quality.