Use of polysaccharide based surfactants to stabilize organically modified clay particles aqueous dispersion

Pure as well as organically modified clay minerals are widely applied particles in different research areas. For the incorporation of hydrophobic organically modified clay particles into the hydrogel matrix, a stable aqueous dispersion must be prepared. In this article we report on the stabilization of aqueous dispersions of hydrophobic organically modified clay particles by using a non-ionic polysaccharide-based surfactant system-Inutec SP1 (based on chicory inulin). Different concentrations of surfactants were tested. Properties of the particulate surfactant-stabilized aqueous colloidal system were determined by electrophoretic mobility and dynamic light scattering measurements. Determination of contact angles gave us insight into the particles’ surface interaction ability with water and also some information regarding the conformation of adsorbed surfactant molecules on the particle surface. By using Inutec SP1, the wettability of clay particles was improved, particle size was reduced and consequently, enhancement of their dispersion ability in water-based systems was observed.