INFLUENCE OF SOME SURFACTANTS AND FLOCCULANTS ON INTERPARTICLE INTERACTIONS IN AQUEOUS SUSPENSIONS OF HYDRO-MICA

Abstract

An influence of composition of nonionic surfactant Twin-80, and combined effect of the water-soluble surfactant polyethylene-oxide (PEO) and flocculant polyacrylamide (PAA) on interpartcile interaction in the water suspensions of hydro-mica with electrolytes have been investigated. Ions of electrolyte do not cause any changes in a character of the surfactants’ influence while can result in significant changes in the concentration range for their effective action. These changes can be induced by adsorption of the electrolytes ions on the surface of the dispersed phase particles. Following consequence can be formed from the three kinds of electrolytes according to their influence on the interparticle interaction: K⁺ - Mg²⁺ - Na⁺. A combination of the cation charge and radius is a key factor governing its activity. A character of the surfactants’ effect undergoes dramatic changes because of the micelle-forming processes occurring in presence of the electrolytes. Combined application of PEO and PAA results in more intense interpartcile interaction in the system. Results of this investigation can be applied to various technologies for separation of the dispersed phase from disperse media (treatment of some natural waters and wastewaters, refining and concentration of the mineral ores and other source materials, mixtures separation, etc.).