A Novel Method for Mixing Nanomaterials with Soil

Abstract

Mixing of nano-sized powders with soils (macro-sized powders) is a noteworthy issue for geotechnical projects. Thus, this study examined the horizontal ball mill mixing of nano-copper oxide with kaolinite. Ball milling parameters (rotation speed, weight ratio of balls to powder and milling time) of the planetary ball milling were optimized for proper mixing of nano-copper oxide and kaolinite powder. Results showed that increase in mixing time decreased the agglomeration of nano-copper powders and kaolinite and increased the homogeneity of nano-copper powder with kaolinite particles. The quality of mixing was assessed through intensity and scale of segregation using concentration data obtained through energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. It was observed through these two tests that, increase in ball milling time after 6 hours resulted in grain size reduction. Field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that nano-coppers were regularly found on the surface of kaolinite particles after 6 hrs. of horizontal milling at 4:1 ratio of balls to powder mixture. Furthermore, 24 hrs. mixing resulted in grinding of kaolinite particles and hence their size was reduced. Particle size analysis confirmed these results, as the highest size span value of 3.417 was observed after 6 hrs. milling with speed of 200 rpm.