Keren, R.
Sparks, D.L.

The effect of pH on the flocculation, settling rate, and gel volume of pyrophyllite in dilute suspension was studied in solutions of various NaNO3 concentations to evaluate the role of the edge surfaces in particle-particle interaction. The critical flocculation concentration (CFC) increased with increasing pH. The changes in CFC from low values in the absence of the polymer to higher values in the presence of it support the hypothesis that the edge surfaces are involved in particle-particle interactions. Increase in water content, indicating an open structure of clay platelets, also supports the hypothesis that edge surfaces are associated with clay flocculation. -from Authors