Stabilization of the Suspension of Zirconia Microparticle Using the Nanoparticle Halos Mechanism: Zeta Potential Effect

Abstract

An experimental study has been conducted to investigate the effect of silica nanoparticle halos on the stability of the zirconia aqueous suspension. The results of turbidity measurements showed that addition of nanoparticles to the suspension increases the stability of the zirconia suspension for all pH values. The achieved stability refers to the formation of nanoparticle halos around the microparticles that can be observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging. The best stabilization is achievable when zirconia microparticles are at the isoelectric point. The minimum stabilization occurs when microparticles have relatively high zeta potential and the force between micro and nanoparticles is repulsive. Addition of a volume fraction of nanoparticles results in the increase in stability up to a certain value. Since then, the emergence of depletion force causes the instability of the suspension.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• Microparticle suspension
• nanoparticle halos
• stability
• turbidity
• zeta potential