Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2011
To control the hetero-coagulation structure of ultra-fine γ-A12O3 and SiO2 powders for mullite ceramics, hetero-coagulation structures in suspensions with different pH conditions were investigated by experimental approach and computer simulation. Electrophoretic mobility distribution, which was determined by a Laser Doppler method, was used for the estimation of hetero-coagulation structure. As results, a bimodal electrophoretic mobility distribution was observed when precursor powders were prepared by colloidal mixing processes at pH=9.5. Since each peak almost corresponded to the electrophoretic mobility of γ-A12O3 or SiO2 particles, hetero-coagulates were not formed in suspension. In the case of pH=6.0, heterocoagulates generated in suspension, however, uniform and fine hetero-coagulates could not be attained. On the other hand, narrow and single mode electrophoretic mobility distribution was observed after colloidal mixing at pH=4.4. The change of hetero-coagulation structure with different pH conditions were analyzed by using Brownian dynamic methods with considering hetero-coagulated system. The change of hetero-coagulation structure with different pH conditions were qualitatively simulated by this model.