Dispersion of nano-silicon carbide (SiC) powder in aqueous suspensions

The dispersion characteristics of nanosize silicon carbide (SiC) suspension were investigated in terms of surface charge, particle size, rheological measurement and adsorption study. Ammonium polycarboxylate has been used as dispersant to stabilize the suspension. It was found that the isoelectric point (iep) of SiC powder was pH_iep (4.9). The surface charge of powder changed significantly in presence of the ammonium polycarboxylate dispersant and iep shifted significantly towards lower acidic pH (3.6). The shift in iep has been quantified in terms of ΔG ⁰ _SP, the specific free energy of adsorption between the surface sites and the adsorbing polyelectrolyte (APC). The values of ΔG ⁰ _SP (−10.85 RT unit) estimated by the electro kinetic data compare well with those obtained from adsorption isotherms (−9.521 RT unit). The experimentally determined optimum concentration of dispersant required for maximizing the dispersion was found to be 2.4 mg/g of SiC (corresponding to an adsorbed amount of 1.10 mg/g), at pH 7.5. This is much below the full monolayer coverage (corresponding to adsorbed amount of 1.75 mg/g) of the particles surface by the dispersant. The surface charge quantity, rheological, pH, electro kinetic and adsorption isotherm results were used to explain and correlate the stability of the nanosize silicon carbide in aqueous media. At pH 7.5, where both SiC surface and APC are negatively charged, the adsorption of APC was low because of limited availability of favourable adsorption sites. In addition, the brush-like configuration of the adsorbed polymer prevented close approach of any additional dispersant; hence stabilization of the slurry happens at a comparatively lower concentration than the monolayer coverage.