Determining the zeta-potential of ceramic microfiltration membranes using the electroviscous effect

The possibility of measuring the zeta-potentials of porous membranes using the electroviscous effect was investigated. The zeta-potential of Membralox(R) ceramic microfiltration membranes was determined both with the newly developed electroviscous technique and by streaming potential measurements. It was found that the electroviscous technique provided a simple means of obtaining accurate values of zeta-potential, especially for higher zeta-potentials. The streaming potential measurements were found to be more suitable for the determination of the iso-electric point, i.e. the pH at which the zeta-potential is zero. The iso-electric points of new alpha-alumina, zirconia, and titania membranes were found to be 8.5, 8.0, and 6.3, respectively. Upon using the membranes and cleaning them with a detergent, the iso-electric point of the alpha-alumina membrane decreased to 6.5, and that of the zirconia membrane decreased to 5.2, while the iso-electric point of the titania membrane stayed virtually constant. Cleaning these membranes with a strong acid or base could not reverse the observed decreases in iso-electric point. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.