Stability of Na-montmorillonite suspension in the presence of different cations and valences

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to investigate the effects of inorganic cations (Na+, Ca2+, and Al3+) with different valences and concentrations on the stability of Na-montmorillonite (Na-MMT) suspension. The stability was studied by turbidity and zeta potential measurements and adsorption thermodynamics. The results showed that the Na-MMT particles coagulated at pH 3–4.8, the stability of which was much inhibited by cations with higher concentration and higher valence. This was caused by the adsorption of cations and the reduction of electrostatic repulsion. Adsorption of Ca2+ on Na-MMT surface fits the Freundlich curve model well. Furthermore, the adsorption reduced the zeta potential of Na-MMT and then the energy barrier between the particles which well obeyed the classic DLVO theory.