Electrical conductivity of graphite suspensions in potassium chloride solutions in direct- and alternating-current electric fields

Abstract

Electrical conductivity of graphite dispersions in aqueous KCl solutions has been measured. The measurements have been performed in alternating- (1000 Hz) and direct-current electric fields. In an alternating-current electric field, at electrolyte concentrations of 0.0005–0.01 М, the conductivity increases as depending on the mass fraction of the dispersed phase. In 0.1 М solutions, a decrease in the conductivity of the suspension is followed by an increase at dispersed phase contents of higher than 15 wt %. In a direct-current electric field, the conductivity of graphite suspensions (0.001–0.01 М KCl) varies slightly and increases at dispersed phase contents of higher than 15 wt %. In 0.1 М solutions, the specific conductivity of the suspension initially decreases and, then, increases at dispersed phase concentrations above 15 wt %. The unusual electrical properties of the suspensions have been explained as being results of variations in the capacitive and active components of the conductivity of graphite dispersions in electrolytes within the framework of a topological model. Particle polarization and a relatively high capacitive component of the conductivity mainly contribute to an increase in the conductivity of the suspensions in 0.0005–0.01 М electrolytes in the alternating-current electric field. A decrease in the conductivity of suspensions in 0.1 М electrolytes is due to a negative difference between the capacitive and active components of the specific conductivity. It has been assumed that the aggregation of graphite particles yields conducting structures at dispersed phase concentrations above 15 wt %.