Definition
An energy barrier is the maximum that appears in the energy-distance curve at intermediate distances of separation h between the surfaces of the particles or droplets. This is best illustrated in systems that are electrostatically stabilized where the total energy of interaction GT is given by the sum of electrostatic repulsion Gel (due to double- layer overlap) and van der Waals attraction GA. A plot of G versus h shows a small attraction at long separation distances (secondary minimum), a very large attraction at very short separation distances, and an energy maximum Gmax (energy barrier) at intermediate distances. The height of the barrier increases with decrease of electrolyte concentration, decrease of valency of counterions, and increase of the surface (or zeta) potential. To ensure colloid stability, Gmax> 25 kT (where k is the Boltzmann constant and T is the absolute temperature). This energy...
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© 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
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Tadros, T. (2013). Energy Barrier. In: Tadros, T. (eds) Encyclopedia of Colloid and Interface Science. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-20665-8_85
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-20665-8_85
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-20664-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-20665-8
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