Evaluation of the rheological behavior of aqueous zirconia nanoparticles suspensions

In this research, we tried to prepare the aqueous suspension of zirconia nanoparticles at different pH and investigate their rheological behaviors. The solids content was 40% by weight and the suspensions were prepared without additives. In this study, the pH value was varied from 3 to 8, and the rheological behavior (shear stress in terms of shear rate and viscosity in terms of shear rate) was investigated; also, the theoretical viscosity was calculated using existing relationships, and compared with experimental viscosity. Based on theoretical relationships, high viscosity values were predicted for nano zirconia suspensions, while in reality the prepared zirconia suspensions showed less viscosity and more ideal behavior. The results also indicated that the addition of Dolapix CE64 dispersant was lead to the Newtonian like behavior. The calculated rheological coefficients also proved that at pH=4 and using Dolapix, better conditions could be obtained for rheological and deflocculation and increased suspension stability.