Small-angle neutron-scattering studies on nonaqueous dispersions Part 5: Magnesium carbonate dispersions in hydrocarbon media

A method is described for the preparation of magnesium carbonate particles in a nonaqueous hydrocarbon environment. The particles were stabilised in the colloidal sense by the adsorption of an alkyl-aryl sulphonic acid. The particle morphology and particle-size distribution were examined by small-angle neutron scattering. It was concluded that the particle structure was of the coreshell type, with a core particle of basic magnesium carbonate, radius ca. 40 Å, and a shell of thickness ca. 13 Å. The results suggested that the latter was predominantly that of the alkyl-aryl part of the stabilising moiety.