| Abstract
| - The presence and effect of water on calcium carbonate nanoparticles used in engine additives, stabilized with asulfonate surfactant, is investigated using small-angle neutron scattering, dynamic light scattering, Fourier transforminfrared spectroscopy, and rheometry. These techniques provide complementary data that suggests the formation ofa layer of water around the core of the particles ensuring continued colloidal stability yet increasing the dispersionviscosity. Through the use of small-angle neutron scattering, the dimensions of this layer have been quantified toeffectively one or two water molecules in thickness. The lack of a significant electrostatic repulsion is evidence thatthe water layer is insufficient to cause major dissociation of surface ions.
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