Influence of surface conductivity on the apparent zeta potential of amorphous silica nanoparticles

Zeta potential is a physico-chemical parameter of particular importance in describing ion adsorption and double layer interactions between charged particles [1]. However, for metal oxide nanoparticles, the conversion of electrophoretic mobility measurements into zeta potentials is a complex problem. This complexity arises because of their high surface electrical conductivity, which is inversely proportional to the size of the particle [2]. To describe the electrochemical properties of amorphous silica nanoparticles, we use a basic Stern model whose parameters are independently adjusted by potentiometric titration and electrophoretic mobility measurements at high salinity (10-1 M NaCl) [3]. At low ionic strengths, because of the strong retardation and relaxation effect due to charged counter-ions at the silica/water interface, amplitude of the predicted zeta potential is significantly higher than that of the apparent zeta potential estimated with electrophoretic mobility measurements and Smoluchowski equation. Electrophoretic mobilities are calculated using Henry's electrokinetic model [4] with the predicted specific surface conductivities and zeta potentials. The very good agreement between calculated and measured electrophoretic mobilities confirms that the magnitude of the true zeta potential corresponds to the magnitude of the electrical potential located at the outer Helmholtz plane. Therefore, the assumption of the presence of a stagnant diffuse layer at the amorphous silica/water interface is not required. This study was done within the framework of the NANOMORPH Project (ANR-2011-NANO-008) coordinated by BRG

Proprietes optiques d'ions de metaux de transition (3d"3 a 3d"8) dans les oxydes spinelles et de verres sodocalciques

SIGLECNRS T Bordereau / INIST-CNRS - Institut de l'Information Scientifique et TechniqueFRFranc

A Semi-Empirical Model to Estimate Maximum Floc Size in a Turbulent Flow

The basic model for agglomerate breakage under the effect of hydrodynamic stress (dmax = C.G−γ) is only applicable for low velocity gradients (−1) and is often used for shear rates that are not representative of the global phenomenon. This paper presents a semi-empirical model that is able to predict mean floc size in a very broad shear range spanning from aggregation to floc fragmentation. Theoretical details and modifications relating to the orthokinetic flocculation output are also provided. Modelling changes in turbidity in relation to the velocity gradient with this model offer a mechanistic approach and provide kinetic agglomeration and breakage index ka and kb. The floc breakage mode is described by the relationship between the floc size and the Kolmogorov microscale. Shear-related floc restructuring is analysed by monitoring the fractal dimension. These models, as well as those used to determine floc porosity, density and volume fraction, are validated by the experimental results obtained from several flocculation operations conducted on ultrafine kaolin in a 4-litre reactor tank compliant with laws of geometric similarity. The velocity gradient range explored was from 60 to 6000 s−1

Contribution of static light scattering to the textural characterization of large aggregates

International audienceThe industrial processes of water clarification often imply flocs of millimeter length. The principal motivation of this work relates to the characterization of these large flocs with laser diffractometry, for which the authors propose particular experimental approaches. In addition, a reformulation of the various properties of the flocs accessible by laser diffractometry is presented, in particular for the determination of the size, density, porosity, volume fraction, and fractal dimension. By way of illustration, these experimental and theoretical developments are applied to the characterization of flocs obtained by flocculation of a commercial kaolin. The size, fractal dimension, and density of kaolin floc were examined under various flocculant concentrations. Measurements reveal important variations of the granulometric and textural properties of large flocs in response to flocculation, opening ways of optimization for the associated industrial processes

Transport of Carbamazepine, Ciprofloxacin and Sulfamethoxazole in Activated Carbon: Solubility and Relationships between Structure and Diffusional Parameters

The transport of carbamazepine, ciprofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole in the different pores of activated carbon in an aqueous solution is a dynamic process that is entirely dependent on the intrinsic parameters of these molecules and of the adsorbent. The macroscopic processes that take place are analyzed by interfacial diffusion and reaction models. Modeling of the experimental kinetic curves obtained following batch treatment of each solute at 2 µg/L in tap water showed (i) that the transport and sorption rates were controlled by external diffusion and intraparticle diffusion and (ii) that the effective diffusion coefficient for each solute, with the surface and pore diffusion coefficients, were linked by a linear relationship. A statistical analysis of the experimental data established correlations between the diffusional parameters and some geometrical parameters of these three molecules. Given the major discontinuities observed in the adsorption kinetics, the modeling of the experimental data required the use of traditional kinetic models, as well as a new kinetic model composed of the pseudo first or second order model and a sigmoidal expression. The predictions of this model were excellent. The solubility of each molecule below 60 °C was formulated by an empirical expression

Electronic and optical properties of CeO 2 from first principles calculations

International audienceFirst-principles calculations of the electronic structure of CeO2 nanoparticles (NPs) were performed to investigate published experimental data obtained by different spectroscopies. The main features of the valence and conduction bands have been analyzed from the total and partial density of states. Several functionals were applied to interpret and quantify the optical properties, including the dielectric function, extinction coefficient and refractive index. It is found that the on-site hybrid functional B3PW91 modelled most suitably the band gap region of CeO2 NPs and consequently gave a more accurate band gap value. It also agreed very well with the experimental values especially in the visible-ultraviolet optical range

Influence of the morphogranulometry and hydrophobicity of talc on its antisticking power in the production of tablets

International audienceAntisticking power varies according to the talc considered. It is difficult to define the physical properties of talc implicated in its antisticking power. In this work, different talcs were characterized and an evaluation made of their performance in reducing sticking in tablet manufacturing. Determination of the specific surface area was made by permeametry, morphogranulometric analysis by laser diffractometry using a method, which made it possible to assess the mean thickness of talc particles, and measurement of water absorption kinetics was taken to assess hydrophobicity. The relationship between the characteristics of talcs and their antisticking power was then considered. There is a correlation between the particle size of talc and surface hydrophobicity. The detaching force of tablets appears to be dependent on the basal dimension of talc

Effect of time on the reconstruction of the Mg4Al2(OH)12CO3·3H2O layered double hydroxide in a Na2CO3 solution

International audienceThe effect of time on the reconstruction of an Mg4Al2(OH)12CO3·3H2O LDH compound in a 0.1 M Na2CO3 solution have been investigated. It seems that the reconstruction phenomena of the Mg4Al2(OH)12CO3·3H2O LDH after a moderate thermal treatment is a very fast process, as it is already completed after 5 min of soaking in a 0.1 M Na2CO3 solution. Indeed, the weight of the reconstructed samples after the centrifuging-washing-drying cycle, as well as the carbon content of the reconstructed samples, remains constant whatever the time of contact between the solution and the mixed oxides issued from LDH. Powder XRD patterns are also similar for all the reconstructed samples without significant FWHM variations. SEM and TEM observations coupled with granulometric and BET measurements show that all the samples, both mixed oxides and reconstructed LDHs, are composed by aggregates of small plate-like particles (less than 100 nm) with a sub-hexagonal morphology but with different porosities