Electrokinetic and rheological properties of kaolinite in poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride), poly(sodium 4-styrene sulfonate) and poly(vinyl alcohol) solutions

The zeta potential and viscosity values of kaolinite suspensions in cationic poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDACl), anionic poly(sodium 4-styrene sulfonate) (PSSS) and nonionic poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) solutions have been determined. The zeta potential value of kaolinite increases with the first addition of PDDACl and PVA solutions, on the contrary of PSSS. Kaolinite–water suspensions exhibit a thixotropic or rheopectic behavior depending on clay concentration. However, kaolinite–polymer suspensions display a thixotropic behavior. The flow type of kaolinite–water and kaolinite–polymer suspensions is Bingham, except kaolinite–PVA suspensions including 7.5 × 10−5 and 1.0 × 10−4 M PVA. It has been found from the relative plastic viscosity measurements that PDDACl and PVA are of a significant effect on the plastic viscosity values of kaolinite suspensions, unlike the PSSS. The interactions between kaolinite and polymer molecules have been investigated by FTIR spectroscopy. This study shows that the zeta potential and viscosity values of kaolinite suspensions can be adjusted using different polymers.