Use of Carbopol 980 and carboxymethyl cellulose polymers as rheology modifiers of sodium-bentonite water dispersions

The effects of polymer addition on the rheological parameters of sodium bentonite water dispersions at ambient conditions were studied using high molecular mass carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and Carbopol 980. Adsorption isotherms using the batch equilibrium technique of the polymers onto the bentonite particles were Langmuir isotherms of the L1 type, indicating monolayer adsorption of the polymers onto the surface of the bentonite particles. The aqueous dispersions of 3% and 4% sodium bentonite exhibited Herschel–Bulkley rheological behavior. Addition of CMC up to 1.5% by mass to the 3% sodium bentonite dispersions decreased the yield stress and the flow consistency index because of the steric effects caused by the adsorption of the polymer. This state was then followed by a plateau of the yield stress and a considerable increase of the flow consistency index, indicating that after a particular polymer concentration, further addition merely increased the liquid viscosity of the mixture. The flow behavior index was not affected by CMC addition. Addition of Carbopol 980 to the 3% and 4% sodium bentonite dispersions up to 0.15% by mass again firstly decreased the yield stress and the flow consistency index, then increased the yield stress and the flow consistency index with increasing polymer concentration. The high shear viscosity of bentonite–Carbopol dispersions showed also a minimum followed by a drastic increase. The flow behavior index was not affected significantly by the polymer addition.

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► Carbopol 980 and CMC adsorbed onto bentonite particles via L1 Langmuir isotherm.
► Their rheological properties were influenced.
► Effects were similar if related to carboxylate group content of the polymers.
► All dispersions behaved as Herschel-Bulkley fluids.