Relationship between the colloidal and rheological properties of mineral suspensions

The electrokinetic and rheological behaviour of lateritic aqueous suspensions has been analyzed as a function of samples chemical composition, pH of suspensions, and nature and concentration of electrolyte added to the aqueous suspensions. First, it was determined that the isoelectric point (IEP) of suspensions in the presence of non‐adsorbing electrolytes is a function of the ratio serpentine/ goethite present in samples. The flow properties of the suspensions are strongly dependent on pH, reaching the highest values of apparent viscosity at values around the isoelectric point. Specific adsorption of silicate and magnesium species on particles surface was revealed by a shift in the IEP. In particular, silicate anions shifted the IEP value to acidic pH whilst magnesium cations shifted the value to basic pH. A similar trend was displayed in the rheological behaviour of suspensions where the highest viscosity values were shifted to the same direction.