Study of the interactions between organic molecules and inorganic particles in ceramic glazes

A ceramic glaze, both in the form of a suspension and as agglomerates, is made up of inorganic particles (frits, raw materials, etc.) and organic molecules (bonding agents, binders, etc.), which interact with each other to provide the required rheological characteristics, manageability, pressability, etc. Since the organic moleculeinorganic particle interactions take place at the particle surface, the present study has focussed on achieving a greater understanding of the chemical character of this surface and its affinity for organic molecules. For this, a study has been carried out by inverse chromatography at infinite dilution, in which the Surface Energy of the different glaze components (organic and inorganic) has been determined, evaluating its specific and nonspecific component. Other aspects, such as the influence of temperature or milling medium on the Surface Energy of the materials have also been studied in this work. Subsequently, to determine the specific surface interaction between two concrete components, the solid-liquid adsorption isotherms were established and analysed in aqueous medium. These studies enable obtaining information, for example, on the affinity between different glaze components or on the minimum quantity of an organic compound required to form a single layer on particles of a certain frit or raw material.