Fig. 3: Visual observation of Na-Mt suspensions in the sol and gel states between crossed polarizers. | Communications Materials

Fig. 3: Visual observation of Na-Mt suspensions in the sol and gel states between crossed polarizers.

From: Hybrid microstructure of smectite clay gels revealed using neutron and synchrotron X-ray scattering

Fig. 3

a Shear-induced birefringence in the sol state of Na-Mt suspensions (1.6 wt%), the birefringence grows as the shear rate is increased signifying enhanced ordering at higher shear rates; visualizations of Na-Mt suspensions b in H2O and c in Deuterium oxide (D2O), in the sol and gel states between crossed polarizers. Note that the birefringent pattern evolves as a function of concentration in the gel state. The gel point is between Na-Mt concentration 2.8–3.3 wt% in H2O and between 2.0–2.5 wt% in D2O.

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