Investigation on the Effect of an Divalent Electrolyte on the Flocculation of SDBS with Al<sup>3+</sup>

Abstract

The effect of an divalent electrolyte Ca2+ on the flocculation of two different concentrations of anionic surfactant Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS) with Al3+ has been investigated at different molar ratios Al3+ to SDBS at 298.15 K. The results showed that the flocculation characteristics of 0.01 mol•L-1 SDBS (above the critical micelle concentration CMC) and 0.001 mol•L-1 SDBS (below the CMC) were obviously different with an increase of dosages of Al3+. The z-average size of flocculate of 0.01 mol•L-1 SDBS with Al3+ decreased particularly with the pre-addition of Ca2+，It suggested the formation of the complexion Ca(SDBS)2. At optimization flocculation areas at 298.15K, pH values were all around 3.5 in the flocculation systems SDBS/Al3+ and Ca2+/SDBS/Al3+ whether the SDBS concentration above or below the CMC. The pre-addition of Ca2+ slightly affected other flocculation parameters of SDBS/Al3+ systems such as zeta potential, surface tension, conductivity and pH.