Molecular sieves with low silicon to aluminium ratio exhibit high ion-exchange capacity and fast exchange kinetics for the removal of divalent cations, such as Mg2 +, Ca2 + and Sr>. Owing to their unique structure and properties and the similarity of their composition to many ceramic materials, zeolites are also promising materials for use in the ceramics industry. The processing of modem ceramics formulations, e.g. glaze and coating suspensions. generally requires constant rheological characteristics over time. Glaze suspension rheology. however. usually changes with time due to the continual dissolution of the solid fraction, i.e. the frit. This study, therefore, evaluates the suitability of zeolites as ion exchangers and rheological stabilisers for the glaze industry. It is important that the zeolites in question are able to withstand the conditions of high shear and temperature experienced during ball milling without loss of crystallinity. This is detennined in this study using a variety of techniques including TGA, XRD, XRF. SEM. FTIR, zeta potential and particle size measurements. Other important properties of zeolites include their surface charge characteristics, ion exchange capacity and rheology modifying behaviour. These properties are evaluated using zeta potential, ICP. and rheology measurements respectively. Zeta potential measurements show that the surface charge properties of zeolites are a function of the silica and alumina components at the surfaces of the respective structures. i.e. the silicon to aluminium ratio. TGA, XRD, XRF, FTIR, ICP and zeta potential results show that the crystallinity of each zeolite analysed is independent of ball milling, whereas, ion exchange capacity decreases significantly after milling. The ion exchange capacity of each zeolite, however, is sufficient to cause a marked decrease in the total divalent ion concentration in the liquid phase of each glaze suspension after milling. The monovalent ion concentration in the liquid phase of each suspension may increase or decrease depending on the type of zeolite employed. The changing rheology of each suspension, on zeolite addition, also varies depending on the initial composition of the glaze components, the liquid phase ion concentration and the type of zeolite used. Time resolved measurements show that the rheology of each suspension, in the presence of zeolite, continues to change up to eight weeks after milling due to further dissolution of the glaze components. This study, therefore, concludes that although zeolites are effective at modifying the liquid phase ion concentration and rheology of concentrated glaze suspensions, they are unable to completely stabilise suspension rheology over time. The ion exchange ability of zeolites. however, may still prove to be of benefit to the glaze industry, especially in the removal of Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions from hard water sources.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:288426 |
| Date | January 2003 |
| Creators | Davies, Russell Martin |
| Publisher | Keele University |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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