Cationic surface modification by polyelectrolytes: Polyelectrolyte complex formation at inorganic particle surfaces

Abstract

AbstractThe surface charge of inorganic finely dispersed materials like diatom earth, perlite, glass or clay may be changed from negative to positive by the adsorption of cationic polyelectrolytes. Different materials exhibit equivalent electrokinetic surface properties with high amounts of the polycation adsorbed. Interfaces modified this way are able to adsorb anionic dye stuffs. Their adsorption capability for the dye stuff may be enhanced by addition of polyanions due to the formation of a nonstoichiometric polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) and therefore an increased number of cationic centres in the interface. Experimental results indicate that the zeta potential is correlated to the outer PEC layer whereby dye stuff adsorption measurements are sensitive for the more inner surface regions, too. Immediately after modification, materials modified with poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) and poly(maleic acid‐co‐α‐methylstyrene) have negative zeta potentials at high excess of added polyanion and a positive one after separation of the solid. This behaviour is attributed to the formation of a nonstoichiometric PEC with polycation in excess and reversible interaction with polyanion in the surrounding solution. Experimental results indicate that the surface may act as “solid‐like” polyelectrolyte in competition to the polyanion.