Study on the Dispersion and Aggregation Behavior of Attapulgite

In the present study,attapulgite has been dispersed and purified by ultrasonic water-heat method cooperated with sodium hexametaphosphate.The stability of the ultrafine attapulgite suspension and its dispersion and aggreagation behavior in acetic acid medium have been investigated by XRD,AFM,size and Zeta potential measurements.The experiment results show that the method used can efficiently disperse and purify attapulgite,and does not destroy the crystal structure.Centrifugation treatment helps to preparation of stable attapulgite suspension.In acetic acid solution,when the pH of the mixed system is less than 3.5,the attapulgite tents to aggregate;whereas,the attapulgite shows single-crystal rods when the pH is above or equal to 4.Our aim is to explore the application of attapulgite in hydrophilic acidic medium for preparation of attapulgite nanocomposite materials.