Electrical aqueous suspensions: What does this concept mean?
Answer: Materials and other substances are either ‘water loving’ (hydrophilic) or ‘water hating’ (hydrophobic). Metals are generally hydrophobic and silver is that way when in a neutral state. As a cation (positive charge) due to missing an electron, the incomplete silver atom is totally dissolved in the water and cannot be observed. Neutral silver however develops interfacial electrical charges such as the Zeta potential, Nernst potential, the Stern potential as well as surface charges between itself and the surrounding water. The Stern potential is created by positively charged hydrogen surrounding the negative atomic cluster with a more diffuse mixture of positive and negative charges further out. The concept is known as the Double Layer and explained by the DLVO theory, constructed by the scientists, Derjaquin, Landau, Verwey and Overbeek.