Hematite nanoparticle monolayers on mica electrokinetic characteristics

Electrokinetic properties of α-Fe(2)O(3) (hematite) nanoparticle monolayers on mica were thoroughly characterized using the streaming potential method. Hematite suspensions were obtained by acidic hydrolysis of ferric chloride. The average size of particles (hydrodynamic diameter), determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and AFM, was 22nm (pH=5.5, I=10(-2)M). The hematite monolayers on mica were produced under diffusion-controlled transport from the suspensions of various bulk concentration. The monolayer coverage, quantitatively determined by AFM and SEM, was regulated within broad limits by adjusting the nanoparticle deposition time. This allowed one to uniquely express zeta potential of hematite monolayers, determined by the streaming potential measurements, in terms of the particle coverage. Such dependencies, obtained for various pH, were successfully interpreted in terms of the three-dimensional electrokinetic model. A universal calibrating graph was produced enabling one to determine hematite monolayer coverage from the measured value of the streaming potential. The influence of the ionic strength, varied between 10(-4) and 10(-2)M, on the zeta potential of hematite monolayers was also studied. Additionally, the stability of monolayers (desorption kinetics) was determined under in situ conditions using the streaming potential method. Our experimental data prove that it is feasible to produce uniform and stable hematite particle monolayers of well-controlled coverage. Such monolayers may find practical applications as universal substrates for protein immobilization (biosensors) and in electrocatalytic applications.