The Formation of Stable Sols from Laponite, A Synthetic Hectorite-Like Clay

Abstract

AbstractThe effects of simultaneous additions of electrolyte and peptiser to dispersions of the synthetic hectorite-like clay, Laponite, have been studied. It has been unexpectedly discovered that whereas many cations cause gelling and flocculation of the dispersions as expected by colloid chemical theory, some cations actually stabilize the sols obtained with peptiser. A relationship has been found between the effectiveness of the cations in increasing sol stability and their size and charge.The effects of time, temperature and peptiser concentration have also been examined, and explanations are offered for the phenomena observed.