Rapid sedimentation of poly(methyl methacrylate) spheres and montmorillonite particles in water upon application of a DC electric field of the order of a few V/mm

It was discovered that the sedimentation velocity of colloidal particles (poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) spheres and montmorillonite (Mt) particles) in water increased drastically when an electric field of the order of a few V/mm DC was applied. These particles showed up to several hundred times its sedimentation velocity in the case that the volume fraction of particles was 0.0001–0.001, and the electric field strength was less than or equal to 1.0 V/mm DC. It is highly plausible that the particles gather each other and form some flocs, which leads to the increase in its sedimentation velocity. This phenomenon would appear for other various colloidal dispersions. This finding offers great potential for controlling the dispersion state of various colloidal particles in liquids using an electric field and application for a simple and efficient particle removal device.