Characterization of kaolinite aqueous suspensions by acoustophoresis: Influence of crystallinity and of the ratio between basal and lateral surface of grains

Abstract

The electrokinetic properties of aqueous suspensions of two kaolins were studied using the acoustophoretic method by measuring the ultrasonic attenuation spectrum in a wide frequency range (1–20 MHz). Then, the zeta potential is calculated according to the size distribution of grains. A high state of crystallinity of the kaolinite platelets strongly influences the amplitude and the variation of zeta potential versus the pH due to a high density of hydroxyl surface groups. It was also shown that specific adsorption occurs mainly with the hydroxyl surface groups of the platelet edges by using strong electrolytes (NaOH and HCl) and also organic molecules (Tiron and sodium salt of citrate). The variation of the surface chemical properties of platelets during the amorphous phase formation after temperature treatment of kaolin powder is also studied. The electrokinetic properties of kaolin suspensions treated between 200 and 800 °C successively show an increase in the positive contribution to the zeta potential up to 400 °C for the best-crystallized kaolinite and a decrease in the density of surface hydroxyl groups when the sheets delaminate from 400 °C for the less-crystallized kaolinite. This study shows that the characterization in aqueous suspension of surface properties of kaolinite complements other studies carried out on powder and therefore it makes it possible to choose kaolin as a raw material according to the intended application.