Processes occurring in the NaCMC/glauconite suspension under the cold plasma treatment. Influence of plasma on adsorptive and stabilizing properties of the system.

The paper presents the studies on the processes at the interface of the colloidal suspensions composed of clay mineral - glauconite (GT) and polysaccharide - sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC) with the cold plasma treatment (CPT). The surface composition and chemical binding in NaCMC and GT changes are determined by means of FTIR and XPS (both methods detected the incorporation of oxygen-related functional groups). Moreover, the additional information about both the textural properties and morphological changes on the surfaces before and after CPT are studied using the BET, CHN, SEM HRTEM and STEM-EDS methods. The elemental mapping and scanning electron microscope imaging confirmed the NaCMC adsorption on GT (carbon mapping) and proved the GT surface lost its "house of card structure" after the CPT. As follows the CPT causes the protonation of NaCMC and the polymer cross-linking whereas the GT sample is more oxidized. Moreover, it was found that a significant improvement in the GT/NaCMC system stability and the NaCMC adsorption on the GT surface were a result of the CPT. The obtained data could be used for the colloidal stability of polymer/solid suspensions, thus providing new opportunities for the chemical industry; particularly for preparation of new functionalized materials.

Comparison of the influence of cationic polysaccharides on the stability properties of montmorillonite suspensions in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate.

The mixtures of cationic cellulose (CC) or cationic guar gum (CGG) with the anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate surfactant (SDS) were used as stabilizers for the aqueous suspensions of montmorillonite (Mt). The stabilization processes and the stabilization mechanism were investigated using the UV-VIS. The obtained results show that both polysaccharides can be used as stabilizers of the water suspensions of montmorillonite due to the effective adsorption of CC and CGG with or without SDS on the Mt. surface. To obtain complete information on the studied systems, the additional measurements of the surface tension, zeta potential, FT-IR, XRD and SEM were made. The results prove that the intermolecular complexes formed between the polysaccharides and SDS can adsorb on the Mt. surface, change the structure of the electrical double layer and the stability properties of the studied suspensions.

Alginic acid as a stabilizer of zirconia suspensions in the presence of cationic surfactants.

The influence of hydrocarbon (CTAB), fluorocarbon (S-106-A) and silicone (C-Si) cationic surfactants: on stability, adsorption and electrokinetic properties of the alginic acid (AA)/zirconia (ZrO2) suspensions was studied. The results obtained from the spectrophotometric measurements indicate on very high effectiveness of the surfactants in stabilization of the studied systems. This is due to the formation of multimolecular complexes between alginic acid and the surfactants. The existence of these complexes was confirmed by the surface tension and the zeta potential measurements. Presented studies also enabled the estimation of the conditions under which the complexes are effectively created and the determination of their character. These findings were also confirmed by the adsorption data. Moreover, the surface charge density measurements proved that the adsorption of AA or the AA/surfactant complexes changes the structure of the electrical double layer. The presented results may find applications in the fields of functionalized materials.

The effect of ionic and non-ionic surfactants and pH on the stability, adsorption and electrokinetic properties of the alginic acid/alumina system.

The influence of ionic (CTAB; SDS) and non-ionic (TX-100; TX-165 and TX-405) surfactants as well as pH of the solution on the stability, adsorption and electrokinetic properties of the alginic acid (AA)/alumina (Al2O3) suspensions was studied. The results obtained using the spectrophotometric method show that the addition of ionic surfactants is an effective way to obtain stable AA/Al2O3 suspensions whereas the changes in pH are not sufficient. Surface tension measurements together with the adsorption data show that the macromolecules of alginic acid are able to form complexes with CTAB, however, they compete for the adsorption centers on the metal oxide surface with SDS. Non-ionic surfactants do not affect alginic acid adsorption. The electrokinetic measurements (surface charge density and zeta potential measurements) prove that adsorption of alginic acid on Al2O3 with or without surfactants changes the structure or the compact and diffused parts of the electric double layer. It should be emphasized that the alginic acid/surfactant/alumina system has not been studied before which confines its possible applications in the fields of functionalized materials.

Interactions between kappa-carrageenan and some surfactants in the bulk solution and at the surface of alumina.

The interactions between surfactants (SDS, CTAB, TX-100 or their equimolar mixtures) and kappa-carrageenan (Carr) in the bulk solution and at the surface of alumina were determined using the surface tension and the spectrophotometric adsorption measurements. The obtained results show that Carr has the ability to create the multilayer complexes with CTAB, TX-100 and the equimolar mixtures of surfactants (CTAB/TX-100), but does not interact with SDS. The created complexes are electrostatic (with CTAB) or they are of different mechanisms such as the hydrogen bonding or the acid-base interactions (with TX-100). The electrokinetic measurements (the surface charge density and the zeta potential) allow to analyze the structure of the adsorption layer: polymer/surfactant/metal oxide. It turned out that the macromolecules of Carr are directly bonded to the surface whereas the surfactants are present in the upper parts of the electrical double layer.

Adsorption of polyethyleneimine and polymethacrylic acid onto synthesized hematite.

An influence of different functional groups of polymer, its molecular weight, polydispersity ratio (M(w)/M(n)) and presence of impurities on its adsorption in different pH values (3, 6 and 9) onto synthesized hematite (Fe(2)O(3)) was measured. A structure of adsorbed macromolecules of PMA and PEI was obtained according to S-F theory. Two polymers were used: polymethacrylic acid (PMA) of 6500 and 75,100 molecular weight as well as polyethyleneimine (PEI) 25,000 commercial and fractionated. Electrokinetic properties of the interface oxide-polymer solution (surface charge density and zeta potential) were also measured as well as adsorption layer thicknesses (with use of viscosimetric measurements). Obtained data show, that all above-mentioned factors do influence not only the adsorption process itself but also a surface charge, zeta potential and structure of adsorbed polymer layers on polymer/hematite interface.