Deposition and detachment studies of fine particles by the packed column technique

The use of the packed column technique for the study of deposition of colloidal particles from dispersions in liquids onto collector beads is described. The technique also allows to investigate the removal of adhered particles, by rinsing the loaded column with solutions of different compositions. A number of examples are described illustrating the effects of various experimental conditions, including the surface and intrinsic properties of reactants, the nature and the ionic strength of the liquid phase, the effects of various additives, and of superimposed external magnetic fields, etc. The results are presented in terms of breakthrough curves and interpreted by means of three phenomenological parameters, which are related to interaction forces between colloidal particles and the collector. This approach makes it possible to distinguish between monolayer and multilayer depositions.