Effects of polymer bridging and electrostatics on the rheological behavior of aqueous colloidal dispersions

Effects of a low molecular weight physically adsorbed polyethylene oxide (PEO) and the range of the electrostatic repulsion on the rheological behavior of silica dispersions (as a model system) has been investigated. Particular attention is given to the evolution of the rheological behavior with increasing the polymer concentration in the system and also effectiveness of the polymer as a dispersant under extreme conditions (high ionic strength). Results indicate that at small separation distances and low polymer coverage, the polymer chains are long enough to adsorb on the surface of two particles simultaneously causing bridging flocculation in the system and hence increasing the viscosity and linear viscoelastic functions of the dispersion. A significant increase was observed in the viscosity of the dispersion at salt concentrations high enough to eliminate electrostatics between the particles. Under these conditions, the viscosity of the system increased significantly when PEO was added to the dispersion showing that at high electrolyte concentrations, a neutral polymer such as PEO is not able to stabilize the system.