Surface chemistry and rheology of electrostatically (ionically) stabilizedalumina suspensions in polar organic media

Alumina particles were dispersed in ethanol (EtOH) and dimethyl sulfoxide ( DMSO), The surface chemistry and interparticle forces were manipulated by c ontrolling the ionic strength of the suspensions without dispersants. The e ffects of the chemical nature of the solvents and the concentration of disp ersed particles on the suspension rheology were evaluated. It was observed that the viscosity of suspensions decreased with increasing salt concentrat ion. Solvent type also had a marked influence on the suspension rheology. I nterparticle interactions were calculated and used to describe the rheologi cal behavior.