Dielectric response and conductivity of dilute suspensions of colloidal particles

Abstract

A numerical scheme is developed for solving the equations which govern the behaviour of dilute suspensions of colloidal particles in an oscillating electric field. Appropriate expressions for the conductivity and the complex dielectric response of a dilute suspension are also derived. The behaviour of these properties as functions of frequency, zeta potential, particle radius, electrolyte concentration and valency is displayed. The effect of slipping-surface boundary conditions for the electric potential is briefly discussed.