Particle & Particle Systems Characterization, Vol.23, No.6, 480-483, 2007
Technical note: Characterization of sub-micron perovskite suspensions formed through cavitation processing
The size distribution within and electrokinetic properties of aqueous perovskite (LaCoO3) suspensions, have been characterized as a function of processing conditions. Submicron-sized perovskite particles have been obtained using a cavitation technique in which the suspension is passed through a series of small orifices under extreme driving pressure drops. When no additives were used, the zeta potential of the particles was found to be positive over the entire pH range studied. Use of an acrylic copolymer surfactant with multiple negatively charged sites during the cavitation processing was found to improve dispersion stability. The observed variations in zeta potential and particle size for the suspensions are explained in terms of electrostatic interactions between particles, the tendency for the surfactant to adsorb onto the particles, and the degree of steric stabilization provided by the surfactant.