The effect of the hydration of the exchangeable cation on the flocculation behaviour of China clay—polyacrylamide suspensions

The flocculation of the sodium, potassium and lithium forms of a kaolinite material have been investigated and discussed in relation to the thickness of the adsorbed layer of water molecules on the clay surfaces. Two methods of assessing flocculation in concentrated suspensions were used, namely the rates of fall of the flocculated suspensions and the rates of filtration through the settled flocs. The flocculating agent was neutral polyacrylamide. Nitrogen and water vapour adsorption isotherms are reported on the various samples, together with heats of immersion in water.The extent of flocculation decreased in the order of Li clay > K clay > Na clay; the amount of adsorbed water decreased in the order Na clay > K clay > Li clay; and the heat of wetting in the order Na clay > Li clay ? K clay. The anomalous behaviour of the Li clay is associated with the strong hydration of the Li ion on the clay surface.