Zeta potential is a critical factor in optimizing coagulation because it directly reflects the stability of colloidal suspensions and dictates the effectiveness of coagulant addition. Colloidal suspensions are mixtures where tiny particles (colloids) are dispersed throughout a liquid. These particles are typically electrically charged, which creates repulsive forces that prevent them from clumping together and settling out. Zeta potential quantifies this electrical charge and, more importantly, the *potential* difference that exists near the particle surface in the liquid. It’s measured in millivolts (mV). This potential arises from the distribution of ions (charged atoms or molecules) surrounding the particle, forming an electrical double layer. The inner layer is the charged particle surface itself, and the outer layer is a diffuse layer of counterions (ions with the opposite charge) attracted to the particle’s surface.
Repulsive forces between particles are strongest when the zeta po....
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