Effect of silica nanoparticles on clay swelling and aqueous stability of nanoparticle dispersions

The results of the effects of electrolyte type and concentration, nanoparticle concentration, pH, and temperature on the mobility and aqueous stability of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated silica nanoparticles are presented. Nanoparticle mobility was evaluated based on the ability to inhibit montmorillonite swelling in aqueous solutions through visual swelling tests, and the results were quantified in terms of the swelling index. The presence of PEG-coated silica nanoparticles was found to have a positive influence on the inhibition of clay swelling only in the presence of electrolytes. Quantification of nanoparticle stability in the presence of montmorillonite particles was achieved using ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectrophotometry. At the highest concentration of montmorillonite dispersion studied, interaction between the dispersed montmorillonite particles and PEG-coated silica nanoparticles resulted in nanoparticle aggregation as indicated by increased turbidity and absorbance readings. Both nanoparticle concentration and montmorillonite dispersion concentration, in addition to the presence and concentration of NaCl, were found to strongly influence the stability of the mixture.