Prediction of aggregation behavior of submicron-sized particles of praseodymium-doped zirconium silicate in aqueous suspension by population balance model

Abstract

The aggregation behavior of submicron-sized particles of praseodymium-doped zirconium silicate, a ceramic pigment, in aqueous suspension was predicted by a modified population balance model. In the model, the collision frequencies were selected to describe evolution of the particle size distribution of the suspension. The collision efficiency was estimated as a function of interaction potential between particles based on Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek theory. The population balance model was modified to predict the stable state of the aggregation by introducing the volume mean size of aggregate to stability ratio. In addition, aggregation of the particles in aqueous suspension in the presence of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate or potassium chloride was experimentally investigated. The predicted data (i.e., the final aggregate size, aggregation rate, and particle size distribution) were similar to the experimental results.