Dispersion and rheological properties of concentrated silicon aqueous suspension

This work focuses on the optimization of the rheological properties of silicon suspensions by changing the concentration of a dispersant and the pH value of the dispersing medium. The zeta potential and rheological properties of silicon suspensions as a function of tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide (TMAH) concentration were carried out. The results show that the isoelectric point of the silicon particles was at pH 1.6. A silicon suspension with 46 vol.% particles displayed a minimum viscosity at pH 9.6. The results also show that TMAH is an efficient dispersant by enhancing the absolute value of the zeta potential of silicon particles. The optimum dosage of the dispersant was 0.4 wt.% of silicon particles.