Interaction of synthetic polyampholytes with disperse particles

The flocculating and stabilizing effect of synthetic polyampholytes with respect to negatively charged model latex systems as well as real mineral dispersions have been considered. It has been shown that the effectiveness of flocculation of disperse particles is maximal at the isoelectric point of polyampholytes. The experimental results obtained on interaction of negatively charged latex particles with synthetic polyampholytes, together with theoretical considerations of Joanny, allowed one to suggest a mechanism of flocculation of colloid dispersions by polyampholytes. It has been established that the interaction of butadiene-styrene latex with polyampholytes is accompanied by the removal of emulsifiers from the surface of latex particles, which in turn leads to a strong hydrophobization of the system and its precipitation.