Stability of Suspensions and Emulsions Containing Illitic Clays

Abstract

There are a lot of studies about colloidal stability of suspensions and emulsions containing clay minerals, but only few about illite containing clays. Due to increasing demand for eco cosmetics, research about the possibility to use natural colloidal particles (clay minerals) as stabilizers also increases. In this study illitic clays were used to investigate the stability of glycerol containing suspensions and safflower oil-in-water emulsions. Three types of clay samples were used – chemically untreated, after removal of carbonates and iron compounds. Viscosity and zeta potential of glycerol suspensions was determined. Samples with the highest viscosity were also the most stable. The removal of iron compounds significantly decreased the viscosity of suspensions and increased the zeta potential