Gel and glass transition in fragile colloidal clays

Abstract

Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) measurements were performed on colloidal suspensions of Laponite® at different concentrations in the range C_w = (1.5÷3.0)%. Exploiting analogies with supercooled liquids approaching their glass transitions, an Angell plot for the structural relaxation times was drawn. Finally, the fragility of Laponite® suspensions at different concentrations, in different solvents, at two salt concentrations and with the addition of a polymer was reported and discussed.

Keywords

• glass transition
• colloids
• laponite®
• gels
• fragility