Electrostatic separation of a charged-particle layer between electrodes

The problem of electrostatic separation of a layer of charged particles of small size compared with the layer thickness was studied. The particle layer initially is confined between two electrodes, and experiments were carried out on a dispersion of particles in a liquid to determine the mass fraction remaining on each electrode after electrode separation. The dependence of the mass fraction on particle charge and applied potential was measured. A physical model was formulated and found to be in good agreement with experimental measurements.