Aggregate structures formed via a bridging flocculation mechanism

A high molecular weight cationic polyelectrolyte has been used to flocculate a colloidal dispersion of anionic polystyrene latex particles. The polymer used had a high charge density and the flocculation occurred at a solution pH where both the polymer and the particles were fully charged. Under these conditions, flocculation is expected to occur through a bridging flocculation mechanism. Low angle laser light scattering has been used to follow the flocculation process as a function of time; parameters of interest were the aggregate sizes, size distributions, and aggregate mass fractal dimensions. The light scattering measurements showed that the flocs formed had a mass fractal character All the systems examined here were overdosed with respect to the optimum flocculation concentration of polymer. Under these conditions, decreasing the polymer concentration was seen to result in an increased flocculation efficiency. A secondary growth process was also observed whereby initially formed fractal aggregates can subsequently aggregate again. These larger aggregates are also expected to be mass fractals although this cannot be determined from the light scattering measurements due to the superposition of Fraunhofer diffraction effects. This type of fractal-in-fractal character is unusual. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.