Aging dynamics in Laponite dispersions at various salt concentrations

Barbara Ruzicka (1) , Laura Zulian (2) , Giancarlo Ruocco (3)

1 Physics
2 Dipartimento di Fisica [Perugia]
3 Dip. di fisica

The aging dynamics of a charged colloidal system, Laponite suspensions in water, has been investigated by photon correlation technique. The samples have been studied in a novel and very wide range of clay concentrations (Cw=0.3÷3.1 % in weight) and at four different NaCl salt concentrations (Cs=1x10-4 M; 1x10-3 M; 2x10-3 M; 5x10-3 M) aiming to investigate the widely discussed phase diagram which has been subject of discussion in the recent literature. A clear image of Laponite phase diagram has been obtained. The measurements show the existence of two different dynamical routes to reach a final arrested state and the presence of a transition line between them in the Cw-Cs plane.

Mots clés: Physical Sciences

Barbara Ruzicka, Laura Zulian, Giancarlo Ruocco. Aging dynamics in Laponite dispersions at various salt concentrations. Philosophical Magazine, 2007, 87 (3-5), pp.449-458. ⟨10.1080/14786430600962732⟩. ⟨hal-00513767⟩