Potential barrier gravitational field-flow fractionation based on the variation of the pH solution for the analysis of colloidal materials

Summary Potential barrier gravitational field-flow fractionation (PBGFFF) is a new technique for the separation and characterization of colloidal materials. It consists in changing the potential energy of interaction between the colloidal particles and the channel wall by varying the solution ionic strength or the Hamaker constant and the surface potential of the particles. In this work the PBGFFF technique based on the particles' surface potential variation, by varying the pH, is presented. Polydisperse colloidal particles of the sulphide CuZnS (with molar ratio Cu/Zn-10/90) are used as a model sample. Comparison of the results obtained by PBGFFF with those given by conventional gravitational fieldflow fractionation and laser counter measurements, shows that one could use PBGFFF not only for the separation and characterization of colloidal materials, but also for the investigation of the interactions between colloids and solid surfaces.