In tap water, Laponite® RD can form a strong gel at 2% concentration, but in deionised water, it is a low viscosity liquid. What’s the explanation for this?
Laponite® forms gels, or builds viscosity in dispersion in water, by a mechanism of interactions between the Laponite® nano-particles, water molecules and ions, or other electrolytes in solution in the water. Put simply, it is necessary to have some electrolyte present in a dispersion of Laponite® in water, in order for it to gel efficiently. Most tap water sources contain enough dissolved solids to allow gel formation to occur, but with a conductivity close to zero, deionised water does not contain enough electrolyte or dissolved solids to cause efficient gel formation.
Related Questions
- In tap water, Laponite® RD can form a strong gel at 2% concentration, but in deionised water, it is a low viscosity liquid. What’s the explanation for this?
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