Effect of cationic surfactant adsorption on the rheological and surface properties of bentonite dispersions

Abstract In this study, the adsorption, bridging, and intercalation effects of a cationic surfactant, benzyldimethyltetradecyl ammonium chloride (BDTDACl), on bentonite clay suspensions was investigated. The adsorption, rheological behaviors, and colloidal properties of the clay dispersions were determined as a function surfactant concentration. Adsorption isotherms were obtained using the batch-equilibrium technique. The rheological behavior of the clay suspensions was obtained by shear stress-shear rate measurements within 0–350 s −1 shear rates. The structure of the composite particles was analyzed by using X-ray diffraction analysis and it was found that the expansions of basal d -spacings are less than 16.80 A, suggesting a monolayer structure.