Microstructure and Aging Dynamics of Fluorescent Nanoclay Co-gels of Laponite and Montmorillonite

Abstract

The phenomenon of aging in soft matter systems is an intriguing and interesting. In his study we investigate the microstructure and aging dynamics of fluorescent nanoclay gels formed from the mixture of small (~25) and large (~250) aspect ratio nanodiscs using various experimental techniques. We examine how the presence of one kind of clay in other clay of different nature affect the aging dynamics, microstructure and the final resulting phase. Viscosity of the dispersions grows as a power-law with waiting time of the system and the dispersions initially show Maxwellian behaviour but deviated as the time progressed. Fractal dimension, df of the gels is found to be 2.5. Confocal micrographs revealed clear grain boundaries in the nanoclay gels, since Na-Montmorillonite exhibit fluorescence. We also report for the first time that the gels containing sodium MMT gives a bright green-yellow fluorescence in ultra violet light. These fluorescent gels may be useful in industry and academic research.