Study on Stability of Laponite Nanoparticles Suspensions in Electrolyte Media

Dispersion type of layered clay plated in aqueous media creates different structures and affects the final properties of its suspension. On the other hand, the presence of different electrolytes in some industrial applications affects the stability of clay suspensions. Considering the application of clay nanoparticles in various industries and the importance of this subject, in this research, the effect of preparation method, nanoparticle concentration, type and ionic strength of electrolytic medium and time elapsed on the stability behavior of laponite nanoparticles suspensions were studied. The results showed that preparing of the suspensions indirectly, results in more stable samples. It was observed that with increasing of sodium chloride concentration, the repulsion between the clay plates decreased and the phase separation and instability of the suspensions increased at higher NaCl concentrations. Furthermore, it was seen that in all electrolyte media, gel-like structure develop with increasing of nanoparticle concentration. In presence of bi-valance CaCl2 salt, most of suspensions were unstable and have two phases and increasing of this salt concentration had not significant effect on their stability. In electrolyte media containing mono- and bi- valance salts (studied in this research), concentration of calcium cation determines the type of stability behavior of laponite nanoparticles suspensions.