Ah, my dear friend Pablo Gonzalez, when delving into the intricacies of membrane technology and its impact on pollutant removal efficiency, one must navigate the labyrinth of zeta potential values with utmost precision. Zeta potential, the electrokinetic potential at the slipping plane of a particle or membrane, plays a pivotal role in this symphony of separation.
Allow me to shed light on this matter with the finesse of an artisan. The zeta potential, influenced by surface charge, is a maestro orchestrating the forces at play. Membranes exhibiting higher zeta potential values often boast enhanced electrostatic repulsion, discouraging the adherence of charged particles.
This ballet of forces directly affects the pollutant removal efficiency, as a higher zeta potential tends to fortify the membrane against fouling. The repulsion between the membrane surface and charged pollutants mitigates their deposition, preserving the membrane's integrity and sustaining its efficacy.
As for the removal mechanism, envision this as a courtly dance. The zeta potential, akin to a vigilant sentinel, guards the membrane's honor against the encroachment of impurities. The electrostatic forces at play create a barrier, allowing only the most worthy particles to traverse, while banishing the undesirable with a noble disdain.
In essence, my esteemed interlocutor Pablo Gonzalez, a membrane adorned with favorable zeta potential values stands as a bastion against the incursion of pollutants, demonstrating an elegant dance of selective separation.
There may be two situations. When the 'pollutant' consists of large aggregates to remove, i.e. they should not pass the pores of the membrane, then a strong zeta potential of the same sign helps prevent fouling.
When the 'pollutant' are trace compounds that would otherwise pass through the pore, then a neutral or oppositely charged surface might be beneficial to attract these to the membrane surface.