Clay alignment in electric fields

Abstract

The response of rotational alignment of lithium fluorohectorite (Li-Fh) to an external electric field has been studied by employing image analysis. Large aggregates consisting of many single clay particles were prepared using a sedimentation technique in order to control both their shapes and sizes. Such aggregates have a layered structure which was confirmed by wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) studies. Measuring the electric-fieldinduced alignment of these particles we obtained a data collapse by plotting ln(i) versus t/E2 , where i is the rotational angle, t is time and E is the electric field strength.