Nephelometry study of kinetics of latex flocculation by cationic polyelectrolyte

The kinetics of flocculation of polystyrene latex under the action of poly( dimethyldiallylammonium chloride) samples with molecular masses below 50 00 0 is investigated by the nephelometry technique. It is shown that, as the m olecular weight of the polyelectrolyte increases, the size of aggregates gr ows, and the average flocculation rate decreases, whereas the initial flocc ulation rate and the optimal flocculant concentration remain practically co nstant. It is concluded that the bridging mechanism for the particle bindin g plays a significant part even under conditions favorable for the neutrali zation mechanism of system destabilization (in the presence of a strongly c harged polyelectrolyte with a low molecular mass).