title: Dynamic light scattering studies of poly(ethylene oxide) adsorbed on Laponite: layer conformation and its effect on particle stability.
abstract: Dynamic light scattering has been used to determine the hydrodynamic thickness of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) adsorbed on synthetic anisotropic clay particles (Laponite) as a function of molecular weight. The layer thicknesses, and their increase with molecular weight, indicate that the conformation of the adsorbed layer is very compact and is much smaller than those normally observed for polymer adsorption on flat interfaces. The aggregation kinetics of the polymer coated particles in 5 mM NaCl was analyzed in a quantitative manner, revealing that the potential barrier to aggregation is strongly enhanced when polymer is present.
authors.affiliation: University of Bristol, Cantocks Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, U.K. anz@ansto.gov.au
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Terence
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cosgrove
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D000538:Aluminum Silicates / Q000737:chemistry*; D000077215:Clay; D008027:Light; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010316:Particle Size; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation
chemical_list: D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D000077215:Clay