Structure and rheology of mixed suspensions of montmorillonite and silica nanoparticles

We present a study of the structure and rheology of mixed suspensions of montmorillonite clay platelets and Ludox TMA silica spheres at pH 5, 7, and 9. Using cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM), we probe the changes in the structure of the montmorillonite suspensions induced by changing the pH and by adding silica particles. Using oscillatory and transient rheological measurements, we examine the changes in storage modulus and yield stress of the montmorillonite suspensions upon changing the pH and adding silica particles. Cryo-TEM images reveal that changes in pH have a significant effect on the structure of the suspensions, which can be related to the change in charge of the edges from positive at pH 5 to negative at higher pH. Furthermore, at pH 7, the cryo-TEM images show indications of a microphase separation between clay and silica particles. The addition of silica leads to lowering of the storage modulus and yield stress, which we connect to the structural changes of the suspension.