Influence of shape and surface charge on the sedimentation of spheroidal, cubic and rectangular cuboid particles

This study investigated the complex settling behaviour of colloidal particles with varied surface charge and shape factors, of specific relevance to nuclear waste processing. Caesium phosphomolybdate (CPM), zirconium molybdate (ZM) and zirconium citromolybdate (ZMCA) were firstly synthesised, producing spheroidal, cubic and rectangular cuboidal morphologies respectively, and compared to agglomerated titania. While zeta-potential measurements indicated all simulant particles attained low isoelectric points, surface group leaching rendered suspensions very acidic, with CPM around its IEP, and ZM/ZMCA stable and positively charged. In sedimentation tests at various concentrations in water and 2M HNO3, CPM and titania were found to settle with extremely high hindered settling exponents, consistent with aggregated structures. Exponents for ZM and ZMCA in water were both also well above values for spherical particles; however, this was assumed to be due to heightened drag effects from relative shape factors, rather than aggregation. ZMCA in particular showed a very high exponent of ~11.4, due to the propensity for the rod-like particles to settle in a flat conformation. For ZM in acid, double layer compression from the high electrolyte aggregated the dispersions, correlating to a significant increase in the settling exponent. An extended Stokes relationship was additionally used to understand theoretical limits of shape and aggregation on particle size prediction from hindered settling curves. Importantly, calculated sizes were consistent for the stable ZM and ZMCA in water, despite their non-sphericity and enhanced drag. The relationship failed however with agglomerated suspensions, highlighting its application as a general stability test for sedimenting dispersions. [Display omitted] •Sedimentation of Spheroidal, cubic and elongated cuboidal particle studied.•Stable cubic and cuboidal suspensions heightened hindered settling due to shape drag.•Aggregation of cubic particles evidenced in 2M acid, enhancing hindered settling.•Extended Stokes model successful at estimating particle size in stable suspensions.•Extended Stokes model also a key method for determination of aggregation state.