Energy-Distance Curves

Synonyms

Energy-distance curves for electrostatically and sterically stabilized systems

Definition

The energy-distance curves are representations of the variation of the energy of repulsion, the energy of attraction, and their sum with separation distance between the particles or droplets. Three energy-distance curves can be identified: (1) Electrostatically stabilized dispersions whereby the total energy of interaction G_T is the combination of electrostatic repulsion, G_el, and van der Waals attraction G_A. A plot of G_T versus h shows two minima and one maximum. At long distances of separation, G_A > G_el, resulting in a shallow minimum (secondary minimum). At very short distances, G_A >> G_el, resulting in a deep primary minimum. At intermediate distances, G_el > G_A, resulting in energy maximum, G_max, whose height depends on ψ_o (or ψ_d) and the electrolyte concentration and valency. (2) Sterically stabilized dispersions whereby the total energy of interaction G_Tis the combination of mixing...