Swelling Inhibition by Polyglycols in Montmorillonite Dispersions

Abstract

Abstract In this study the inhibition by polyglycols of the swelling of montmorillonite in aqueous solutions was investigated through linear swelling and particle size distribution experiments. With addition of KCl, polyglycol adsorbing on montmorillonite can complex with K+ and promote clay particles aggregation and efficiently decrease the swelling of montmorillonite. The more hydrophobic copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene‐oxide induces greater aggregation than the homopolymer of ethylene oxide.