DISPERSION OF TITANIUM-DIOXIDE PIGMENTS BY ALKYL POLYGLYCOSIDE SURFACTANTS IN AQUEOUS-SOLUTION

The interaction of APG (R) surfactants with TiO2 pigments has been characterized by a variety of different experimental techniques. Rheological measurements have been used to determine the viscosity of concentrated TiO, pigment slurries as a function of surfactant concentration. Adsorption experiments have been used to understand how APG (R) surfactants interact with the surface of the pigment on a molecular level. In addition, zeta potential measurements were performed to determine how APG (R) surfactants affect the electrostatic potential at the TiO, particle surface. Taken together, the experimental results indicate that APG (R) surfactants are effective dispersants for TiO2 particles in aqueous solution. In general, the effectiveness increases with increasing alkyl chain length. APG (R) surfactant molecules adsorb on the particle surface by hemimicelle formation. The zeta potential of the dispersed particles shows a complex behavior as a function of adsorbed surfactant concentration.