Zeta-Meter System 3.

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Aaron Hopkins July 21, 2004

What is Zeta Potential? Click here for Zeta Potential Description from web site:
http://www.oxywave.com/nutrition/pdfs/zeta.pdf.

Care and Precautions

 The Zeta-Meter uses high voltages and could cause electrical shock. The only
time that the Zeta-Meter is safe is when the function knob is set in the
“standby” position.
 Use only lens paper dampened with distilled water when cleaning the cell, the
mirrored stage, or any lenses on the microscope or lights.

Cleaning
Cell
The cell should be cleaned after each use to ensure that no residues or
contaminants remain that could affect subsequent tests. The cell should be cleaned by
soaking in a non-abrasive detergent and then thoroughly flushed with water.

Molybdenum Anode
The molybdenum anode needs cleaning periodically, which can be determined by
the appearance of the anode changing from a metallic color to a blue-black color. The
anode should be cleaned with a commercial metal cleaner, such as Brasso ®. After
cleaning, the anode should be thoroughly rinsed, paying special attention to the interface
between the metal and the Teflon® holder.

Usage
1. Fill the cell with the solution, being sure to avoid air pockets/bubbles.
2. Place the cell on the mirrored stage, with the writing facing front.
3. Attach the banana plugs to the electrodes. Red goes on the left and black on the
right.
4. Flip Zeta-Meter power switch to on and ensure the function knob is set to
“standby”.
5. Select a lamp and adjust the intensity as needed.
6. Adjust the dovetail slide and focus until the cell wall is visible. (Refer to Figure
5-5 in the Zeta-Meter manual.)

Last revision: July 21, 2004 Page 1 of 2

Aaron Hopkins
 7. Adjust the dovetail slide until the positioning line is set on the cell wall. (Refer to
Figures 5-5 and 5-6 in the Zeta-Meter manual.)
8. Select units with the Display Units knob. Choices are time, zeta potential, and
electrophoric mobility.
9. Set the scale with the Ocular Micrometer knob. Choices are full, quarter, and
eighth.
10. Set the Function knob to “energize electrodes”.
11. Adjust voltage with the Voltage Setting knob to obtain an acceptable particle
speed. Be sure not to set the voltage too high as it could lead to thermal overload.
12. When a particle reaches a hash mark for the scale set with the Ocular Micrometer
knob, press and hold the Track button with the arrow in the direction of the
particle’s movement. (Refer to Figure 5-4 in the Zeta-Meter manual.)
13. Release the Track button when the particle reaches another hash mark.
14. Repeat steps 12 and 13 for approximately 50 particles.

 Pressing the Status button will cycle the display between the number of particles
counted, the average zeta potential of the particles, and the standard deviation.
 Pressing the Clear button will clear the last recorded particle.
 Pressing the Clear and Status buttons simultaneously will clear all readings.

When shutting down, be sure to:

 Return the Function knob to the “standby” position.
 Turn off the lights.
 Switch Zeta-Meter power off.
 Place the dust cover over the microscope.
 Clean the cell.
 Log your activity in the Zeta-Meter Log Book

Test Solution
A test solution can be made for testing the Zeta-Meter. The solution is composed
of 100mg/L of Min-U-Sil (a crushed sandstone powder) and 100mg/L of NaCl in distilled
water. The test solution will have a zeta potential between -50 and -42 mV with a
standard deviation of 4 to 6 mV. The zeta potential of the solution will vary with time
and should be used within 24 hours of mixing. Plastic containers should be avoided as
they may change the properties of the solution.

Notes and Comments

 Switching the Display Units knob will cause the system to restart and any saved
readings will be lost.

Last revision: July 21, 2004 Page 2 of 2

Aaron Hopkins