| Abstract: | The surface energy of kaolinite was determined from the water adsorption isotherm, the water/kaolinite contact angle, and the surface tension of water, using a formula obtained by combining the Young equation with the general equation of pair interaction. This formula could be represented by a polynomial function whose roots gave one real value of 252.57±2.75 mJ m–2 for the surface energy of kaolinite. An important feature of the procedure for obtaining this energy is the use of the Young equation to determine the range in which the value of the surface energy lies. |
