Influences of polyacrylic acid adsorption and temperature on the alumina suspension stability

The temperature influence on the alumina (Al2O3) suspension stability in the absence and presence of polyacrylic acid (PAA) was studied. The investigated temperature range was 15–35 °C. Stability measurements were carried out by the use of Turbiscan LabExpert with a thermostatic system. Additionally, at 25 °C the suspension stability was determined from the spectrophotometric data.The obtained data and calculated values of Turbiscan Stability Indexes (TSI) suggest that for the alumina suspensions without polymer, the values of TSI and the rates of solid particles settling as well as the thickness of sediment were the lowest at all investigated temperatures. Moreover the PAA adsorption causes pronounced decrease of system stability at 15 and 35 °C while at 25 °C polyacrylic acid adsorption slightly improves the alumina stability. The conformational changes of adsorbed polymer macromolecules are responsible for such behaviour of the investigated systems. At all investigated temperatures the solid suspension is not stable in the presence of PAA. In the case of PAA 2 000 the coagulation by charge neutralization takes place, whereas in the case of PAA 240 000 the bridging flocculation is the most probable process. The destabilization of systems by the adsorbed polymer occurs with the lowest effectiveness at 25 °C.

The adsorption of polyacrylic acid causes destabilization of the alumina suspension in the 15–35 °C temperature range. Such effect is the lowest at 25 °C. The presence of PAA 2 000 in the system causes its coagulation by charge neutralization while the adsorption of PAA 240 000 favors the bridging flocculation.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide