Electrokinetic properties of variable charge clays in the presence of an anionic xanthan polysaccharide and inorganic electrolytes

The effect of the electrolytes (MA: NaCl, MgCl₂ , PbCl₂ , and NaH₂PO₄ ) on the polymeric (a) weak-stabilization (PWST), (b) flocculation (PFL); and (c) stabilization (PST) of allophane in the presence of xanthan polysaccharide (GX), was investigated by electrophoretic mobility (EPM) measurements. At pH 6.5 (i.e.p.), with further addition of chlorides, the decrease in the absolute value of the negative EPM (|—EPM|) of allophane in 0.01 mm MA solutions indicated the suppression of PWST and PST, respectively, probably due to the decrease in the repulsive force originating from the negatively charged GX-chains with the addition of MA. By first addition of MA, the decrease in the |—EPM| value of allophane in 0.01 mm NaCl and MgCl₂ solutions also showed the suppression of PWST and PST. In 0.01 mm PbCl₂ and NaH₂PO. solutions, the increase in the EPM and |—EPM| values of allophane reflected the dispersion due to the specific adsorption of Pb₂₊ and H₂PO₄ - ions on the negatively and positively charged sites of the surface, respectively. At pH 4.5, the decrease in the |—EPM| value of allophane in 0.1 mm NaH₂PO₄ solution indicated the suppression of PST due to the specific adsorption of H₂PO₄ - ion on the positively charged surface of the particles. The absence of (i) PWST in the presence of GX and (ii) high stability in the presence of cationic lead species for the flocculated imogolite at pH 8.5 can be attributed to the tubular structure proposed by Cradwick et al. (1972: Nature (London) Phys. Sci., 240, 187-189), namely, to the difficulty in the development of a negative charge on the outer surface of its unit particle.