Kinetic determination of sedimentation for GMZ bentonite colloids in aqueous solution: Effect of pH, temperature and electrolyte concentration

Abstract Bentonite colloids are readily generated by eroding the compacted bentonite blocks with flowing groundwater and facilitate the transport of radionuclides due to their high mobility. The geological fate of colloids is highly relevant to the aggregation and sedimentation of colloids in porous media. In the present work, the week-scale stability of bentonite colloids concerning sedimentation was determined by photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS) as a function of pH, temperature, and electrolyte concentration. The related mechanisms governing colloidal stability were elucidated by employing the DLVO model. The results showed that the alkaline condition was favorable for bentonite colloidal stability, while high temperature and high salinity destabilized colloids due to the decrease in repulsive potential energy. Ca2+ contributed more significantly to colloid sedimentation than Na+ because of the favorable replacement in the Stern layer. The critical coagulation concentration (CCC) values calculated theoretically from DLVO theory were applicable to predict the stability of bentonite colloids. Knowledge from the present work provides deep insight into the stability of bentonite colloids and has potential implication for understanding the detailed physico-chemical processes governing colloid migration under various subsurface environments.