Journal of Inorganic Materials ›› 2015, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (11): 1208-1212.DOI: 10.15541/jim20150152

• Orginal Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Centimeter Level Monolayer Close-packed of Disk-Shaped Diatomite Particles

ZHANG Wen-Qiang1,2, ZHANG Xin2   

  1. (1. College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China; 2. College of Engineering, Boston University, Boston 02215, USA)
  • Received:2015-03-20 Revised:2015-05-21 Published:2015-11-20 Online:2015-10-20
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China (51305446);Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (2013XJ005)

Abstract:

Diatomite earth, preferably maintained the morphology and structure of nature diatom, with the characteristic of unique multi-level nanopores and large specific surface area. Diatom is a low-cost at large quantity through repeatable separation from diatomite earth, suitable for industrial application. In this study, the disk-shaped diatom shell particles, size distribution between 40-80 μm, were extracted out by physical settlement method and mechanical screening method. Then, according to the particles self-assembly close-packed principles at air-water interface, the fast close-packed feasibility of hydrophobic diatom shells in a large area was studied. The results showed that by controlling the concentration and forms of diatom shell particles, centimeter level close-packed monolayer can be obtained. The close-packed monolayer area of floating diatom shell particles was over 23.7 cm2, and on drying substrate was about 5.0 cm2.

Key words: diatomite earth, sheet-shaped particles, self-assembled, monolayer close-packed

CLC Number: