Clay Alignment in Electric Fields [Local Mirror]

R. C. Castberg, Z. Rozynek, J. O. Fossum, K. J. Måløy, P. Dommersnes and E. G. Flekkøy

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-field-induced 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.