The electrokinetic properties of latex particles: comparison of electrophoresis and dielectrophoresis

A comprehensive study of the AC and DC electrokinetic properties of submicrometre latex particles as a function of particle size and suspending medium conductivity and viscosity is presented. Electrophoretic mobility and dielectrophoretic cross-over results were measured for particle diameters ranging from 44 to 2000 nm. The zeta potentials of the particles were calculated from the electrophoretic mobility data for different suspending medium conductivities, using various models, with and without the inclusion of surface conduction. The dielectrophoretic data was analysed to derive values for the Stern layer conductance and zeta potentials.