ADHESION OF POLYSTYRENE LATEX-PARTICLES TO COTTON FIBERS IN AQUEOUS SODIUM ALKYLATE SOLUTIONS

The adhesion of polystyrene latex (PSL) particles to cotton fibers was investigated in aqueous sodium alkylate solutions. The PSL particles were polymerized in a surfactant-free system. The sodium alkylates use d were sodium octanoate, sodium decanoate, and sodium dodecanoate. The number of particles adhering to the cotton fibers from an aqueous sus pension containing sodium alkylate was determined spectroscopically. T he rate constant of particle adhesion and the apparent equilibrium amo unt of the PSL particles adhering to the fibers were obtained. The tot al potential energies of interaction between the particle and fiber we re calculated using the electrokinetic potentials and the thickness of the adsorbed layer on the basis of the heterocoagulation theory. A pl ot of the logarithmic rate constant of adhesion against the maximum po tential energy was found to be linear. The relation between the equili brium amount of adhesion and the depth of the primary well was also li near. The adhesion of PSL particles to cotton fibers in aqueous sodium alkylate solutions was interpreted in terms of the total potential en ergy, which was calculated by considering the existence of an adsorpti on layer.