The colloidal stability of raw bentonite deformed mechanically by ultrasound

Abstract

The present study examined the effect of sonication time on the particle–size and the colloidal stability (i.e. point of zero charge, PZC and zeta potential, f) of raw bentonite (RB) from Saudi Arabia. In this study, bentonite suspensions were sonicated for various time intervals (30, 60 and 120 min). The effect of sonication time on specific surface area and the colloidal stability behavior of bentonite at various pH and in presence of different NaCl concentration were investigated. The increased in lightness and brightness of bentonite suspension was observed during sonication experiment which could be attributed to the reduction in the particles size. With increasing sonication time the specific surface area increased and consequently the zeta potential of bentonite suspension increased. Also a shifting in the PZC from pH 3 for raw bentonite to pH 2 after 120 min of sonication. The zeta potential of sonicated bentonite suspension in presence of different concentration of NaCl shows unusual trend compared to the unsonicated bentonite. In conclusion, the stability of raw bentonite suspension was significantly modified due the application of ultrasound with rending the particle-size of the bentonite.