Experimental study on electrokinetic of kaolinite particles in aqueous suspensions

Influence of aqueous phase properties and process parameters on kaolinite particle zeta potential was quantified by electrophoresis experiments. The results indicated that pH strongly altered the zeta potential of kaolinite and it decreases at the beginning and then increases in the range of pH = 2–13. The activity of different cations changes the zeta potential and has the following tendency of Al3+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > Na+ and the zeta potential increases due to heterocoagulation of different mineral particles in suspension. It was found that the zeta potential of kaolinite particles increases after the suspension was stirred and decreases at the beginning, and then increases with soaking time. The FTIR results showed that the zeta potential takes into account ion adsorption and the change of Si–O, Al–O and Al–OH groups on the surface of the kaolinite particles.