Rheological properties of sepiolite ground in acid and alkaline media

Effects of different acids (HCl, H2SO4 and citric acid) on rheological properties of brown sepiolite from the Eskisehir region of Turkey have been determined. The optimum apparent viscosity value was obtained at the natural pH of the suspension. Below the natural pH, partial collapse of the structure due to the release of Mg ions causes a significant decrease in viscosity values. However, below pH 1, there is a substantial increase in viscosity values owing to gel formation. On the other hand, above the natural pH of suspension, increased amounts of OH ions lead to a decrease in viscosity values and inhibit gel formation. The reversible nature of sepiolite was tested by changing the pH of acid and alkaline treated sepiolite suspensions back to its natural pH by washing with water and acid, respectively. In summary, from a practical point of view, there is no favorable effect of acid treatment of sepiolite on its rheological properties. On the contrary, reducing the pH to natural pH after grinding in a basic environment led to an improvement in rheological properties.