Journal article

The size of particle aggregates produced by flocculation with PNIPAM, as a function of temperature

E Burdukova, N Ishida, T Shaddick, GV Franks

Journal of Colloid and Interface Science | ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE | Published : 2011

Abstract

This work investigates the effect of temperature on the size of alumina aggregates formed by flocculation with temperature responsive Poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide)(PNIPAM). The results are discussed in terms of the effects of temperature on particle collision, particle adhesion and aggregate breakage. It was found that the size of alumina aggregates increases with increasing solution temperature. Particle/particle collision and aggregate breakage are largely unaffected by increasing solution temperature and therefore could not account for the change in aggregate size. The dominant factor in aggregate growth with increasing temperature was found to be the increase in the force of adhesion betwe..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Grants

Awarded by Freeport-McMoran through the Australian Minerals Science Research Institute (AMSRI)


Awarded by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science


Funding Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the financial support from the Australian Research Council, AMIRA International, BHP/Billiton, Rio Tinto, Orica, Anglo Platinum, Xstrata, Areva NC and Freeport-McMoran through the Australian Minerals Science Research Institute (AMSRI) (LP0667828), as well as support from the Core-to-Core Program promoted by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (Project No. 18004). The authors would also like to acknowledge the contribution of Dr. J.P. O'Shea, who synthesised the polymer used in this study, as well as Dr. N. Fukuda and Mr. J. Manaka, for their technical assistance with the AFM force measurements.