On the Effect of Dielectric Saturation on the Swelling of Clays

Joan E. Curry, Donald A. McQuarrie

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

The nonlinear Poisson-Boltzmann equation is solved with a field-dependent expression for the dielectric constant to determine the effect of dielectric saturation on swelling pressure in clays. Calculations including a scaled and an unsealed version of the approximate expression for the field-dependent dielectric constant first derived by Booth are compared. It is found that the swelling pressure decreases in all cases considered; however, the effect is significant only when the electric field at the surface is high enough to cause dielectric saturation. Nonlinear dielectric effects should be considered in models which predict surface electric fields in excess of 107 V·m-1.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1026-1029
Number of pages4
JournalLangmuir
Volume8
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 1992
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Surfaces and Interfaces
  • Spectroscopy
  • Electrochemistry

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