The point of zero charge is the pH for which the net surface charge of adsorbent is equal to zero. This concept has been introduced by an increase of interest in the pH of the solution during adsorption. The reason why pH has attracted much attention is that the adsorption of some substances is very dependent on pH. The pzc value is determined by the characteristics of an adsorbent. For example, the surface charge of adsorbent is described by the ion that lies on the surface of the particle (adsorbent) structure like image. At the lower pH, hydrogen ions (protons, H) would be adsorbed more than other cations (adsorbate) so that the other cations would be less adsorbed in the case of the negatively charged particle. On the other hand, if the surface is positively charged and pH is increased, anions will be less adsorbed as hydroxide ions are increased. From the view of the adsorbent, if the pH is below the pzc value, the surface charge of adsorbent would be positive so that the anions can be adsorbed. Conversely, if the pH is above the pzc value, the surface charge would be negative so that the cations can be adsorbed.
For example, the charge on the surface of silver iodide crystals may be determined by the concentration of iodide ions in the solution above the crystals. Then, the pzc value of the AgI surface will be described by the concentration of I in the solution (or negative decimal logarithm of this concentration, pI).