Morphological controls on flow conductivity and viscosity of bentonite–polymer composites

Geng, Weijuan; Liu, Meishen; Benson, Craig; Likos, William J.; Gadikota, Greeshma

doi:10.1680/jenge.21.00125

Morphological controls on flow conductivity and viscosity of bentonite–polymer composites

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 04:00:00 EDT 2024 · Environmental Geotechnics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1680/jenge.21.00125· OSTI ID:2423529

Geng, Weijuan ^[1]; Liu, Meishen ^[2]; Benson, Craig ^[3]; Likos, William J. ^[4]; Gadikota, Greeshma ^[2]

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA, Department of Civil Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
School of Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA

In this study, the authors investigate the morphological organisation of polymers in bentonite–polymer composites (BPCs) used in geosynthetic clay liners and controls on hydraulic conductivity and viscosity. A limited understanding of the relationship between the microstructure of BPCs and their macroscopic engineering behaviour motivates this study. The polymer resides in the inter-granular pores of bentonite based on synchrotron-based small-angle X-ray scattering measurements, scanning electron microscopy imaging and pore size analyses. On wetting, the polymer swells to produce a swollen hydrogel residing in the inter-granular pores. Enhanced tortuosity arising from hydrogel formation reduces the hydraulic conductivity of BPCs. The higher viscosity of the BPC slurry is attributed to the higher shear resistance emerging from swelling of the polymer fraction on wetting. These findings link the morphological features of BPCs to the observed hydraulic conductivity and viscosity of these materials.

Research Organization:: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Advanced Photon Source (APS)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

DOE Contract Number:: AC02-06CH11357

OSTI ID:: 2423529

Journal Information:: Environmental Geotechnics, Journal Name: Environmental Geotechnics Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 11; ISSN 2051-803X

Publisher:: Institution of Civil Engineers

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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